Where to visit in the USA?

[AlexS]

I'm vaguely thinking of visitig the USA. The places I know I'd like to visit include New York, the Guggenheim, the Smithsonian, and also plan to catch up with a mate in New Mexico.

As I will probably only go there once, I'd like to see as many things as possible that can only be seen in the USA.

Suggestions please.

[joe greiner]

Good choices so far. The Guggenheim in NY is the only building of its type, I think; start at the top and walk down, not vice versa! The Smithsonian in DC has several branches; it's said that a newborn baby could not see all of its exhibits in his lifetime. The Air and Space branch is about 1/2 mile east of the main building, and has its own (larger) branch at Dulles airport.

While you're in New Mexico, Arizona's Grand Canyon is about 350 miles west (~560km) as the crow flies - quite spectacular: about 1 mile deep and lots more wide and long.

A bit out of the way, but Alaska is almost a different planet. I lived in Anchorage for most of 1985, and loved it; even at -10F (-25C). Better to visit in summer (your winter) though.

That's all I can think of at the moment. More later when/if.

Joe

[Cliff Rogers]

Avoid South Carolina....... http://www.ubeaut.biz/fishing.gif

[woodbe]

New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Arizona. Some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. So many canyons and Mesas, so little time...

If you want to hike the Grand Canyon, book early, it's permit restricted. There is limited accommodation down the bottom, but well worth the effort. Whatever you do, don't be tempted to ride the burra's down unless you are a seasoned rider...

woodbe.

[smitthhyy]

Orlando, Florida and spend a day at Kennedy Space Centre (you'll need a day). Then check out places like Universal Studio's, and some other things on offer. It's all HUGE!!!. Just watch out for alligators :D

There is also un-usual sites like this pic (http://pic.trev.id.au/details.php?image_id=21) of an over-turned building which I took when I was over there following a run of three tornado's that ripped through the area. (Only in America :) )

[Doctor Phil]

Come on over to Texas, Ill chuck a shrimp on the BBQ for yall.

[durwood]

how long are you planning on going for?

There is so much to see in so many places you need to plan. I had Americans out here who wanted to go to Tasmania for the day!!!! It can be a bit like that, you have to allow time to travel between places like New York or New Mexico you will lose a day or more just going to the airport getting on a plane and getting to a motel the other end of the trip.

Depending on your interests you will need a few or several days in places like Washinton DC. I spent a week staying with friends in DC and only saw a fraction of what was possible and they did the driving so getting lost time was nil.

The time of the year is real important. Stinking hot in New Mexico in summer freezing cold in New York in winter, thought my family vote Christmas in NY as their best ever. The fall in the eastern states is also great with the autunm colours.

There are so many fabulous things to see virtually anywhere its alway good to ask the locals as most things are missed by the normal tourist guides.

Some of the best things we have seen have been large businesses which have exhibitions related to what they sell or private museums which are free but have in them stuff you would never see anywhere else.

I have always picked an area flown in, hired a car and done a circle over a week or more and then flown to another part of the states. Most of the big airlines offer cheap internal flights if you fly with them. I used to love telling Americans on planes it only cost us $80 when they were paying neally $700 or more for the same trip.

Maybe you need to be a bit more specific as to you likes.

[Iain]

Lee Valley, spectacular sights:D :D :D

[jow104]

Alex, I guarantee you wont beat the tip given by Woodbe, Bryce Canyon in Utah is the best National Park, but you would need to pre book the motel in the national park, I think there is only one.

[chrisb691]

A day at Yosemite national park is well spent. :2tsup:

[joe greiner]

The scale of things shouldn't be a surprise to an Ozzie. Almost the same size. My bro in DC had some business visitors from Germany; he asked them their plans for the weekend; they thought they'd drive over to Texas on Saturday, and then ... Whoa! Perhaps not.

C'mon Cliff. Bob's not such a bad sort. Not much else there, though; at least unique to Oosa.

Joe

[graemet]

Seattle and its surrounding islands + the Boeing factory.
Denver Colorado - do a trip up around Pikes Peak and the Rockies.
Washington DC- DEFINITELY the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.

[Honorary Bloke]

Avoid South Carolina....... http://www.ubeaut.biz/fishing.gif

I ought to send you a Reddie. :rolleyes: :D

-----------------------------------------------------------

Best place in SC to visit would be Charleston, but really not much different from your coastal cities unless you're a US Civil War buff. :)

Good advice here so far. Spectacular scenery around New Mexico, Arizona, etc. Grand Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Bryce Canyon, and the New Mexican capitol, Santa Fe.

However, if against all advice you DO decide to come to South Carolina, you are welcome to stay with us and we will feed you as well and I might even let you fondle my Festools. :D :D :wink:

[Pat]

Warren, Maine :D

[Cliff Rogers]

2 bites on the one bait. :2tsup:

[Honorary Bloke]

Ha. :D :p

[Pat]

Ottawa, Ontario or Halifax, Nova Scotia

[Cliff Rogers]

Which one is you Bob? :p

[Capt. Zero]

As firesign theater said "There's lots of things in this great country and lots of places to put them in.":D
Just like OZ it's too big to see everything in just one trip and noplace is truly representative of the whole. When you do come here though, pick just one or two places and spend some real time exploring thoroughly there. If you try to see too much everything becomes a mishmash.
Personally, avoid the touristy places everyone sees. Try somewhere obscure.
A list I like:
Gueydan La.- not for scenery or the culture, but the food! 'Ma frien, make you wanna hop up an slap yo momma down. I garontee.
Marble Falls Tx.-Awesome geology. Witness some of the oldest rocks in the world. Probably the friendliest place I've ever been.
Ogden Ut.-Truly strange.
Winona Mn.-Golden Eagles soaring over a Mississippi like dark beer.
Okrakoke Island NC.- The easiest and most productive and cheapest surf fishing I've ever seen. Love fresh caught pampano.
Aransas Pass Tx. - (see Okrakoke NC) also the winter nesting site of the Whooping Crane.
I guess, like anywhere, the best way to see it is find a big map, close your eyes, and stick a needle in the map and go there.

[Sebastiaan56]

Johnson Space Centre in Houston, fabby,

Sebastiaan

[Rocker]

I am a bit surprised that no-one has mentioned Las Vegas. I lived there for six months (which was far too long), but it is a fabulous place for a two or three-day visit, and the dam at Boulder is quite something too.

Rocker

[Honorary Bloke]

Good point, Rocker. And exactly right. 2 days is about my limit, but for 2 days it is wonderful. :) [Except for the money you WILL lose.] :cool:

[rrich]

It all depends upon when and who is coming with you.

If you are bring children, then Disneyland (California) rather than Disneyworld (Florida). Less humidity and easier for all to endure. The crowds usually are lighter during our spring and fall.

New York city is great between the fourth thursday of November (our Thanksgiving holiday) and Christmas. The city decorates for the holidays and there is a noticable mood change in the city.

Washington D.C. is great except during August. During August temperatures are 38-40 with humidity at 99%. The Air and Space museum is a several day affair. If you're at all interested in aviation, I doubt that your emotions could surrive much more than four hours at a time.

Yosemeite is 2-3 hours from Fresno and about 5-6 hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco. One day is not enough.

The Grand Canyon (South rim) is about 3 hours from Phoenix. It is possible to do a one day from Phoenix to the canyon and return. Leave before light and return after dark. I've done it many times. Avoid visiting the canyon from late June through mid September. That is "summer road trip" time with bored and uncooperative pre-teens and teens. (Actual quote over heard at the canyon, "You're not going to sit in the car reading after we've driven for three days to get here. Get out and look at the canyon, now.") In all, the canyon is the most impressive hole in the ground. The sheer beauty of the place is breath taking.

The US is approximately the size of OZ. Some of the air travel times are:
Los Angeles to San Francisco 1.15; to Phoenix 1.30; to New York 5.30; to Washington D.C. 5.30; to Seattle 3.30; to Orlando Florida 5. (All in hours.minutes.) Assume that you are going to waste 2 hours at the departure airport and probably that much time at the destination airport.

My impression is that the US culture concerning air travel is that it is an event where as in OZ, air travel is just how you get there. We seem to have the mentality that getting there is half the fun (or agony) and the road trip is a family tridition.

If you're planning a trip, usually from mid March through April, Disneyland sells discount tickets only to Southern California residents. (It's a 30%-40% discount.) These tickets are usually sold at many of our super markets. If I remember correctly, I did have to show my drivers license when the tickets were exchanged for admission at the park. If this is in your plan, give a shout and SWMBO and I will go with you so that you can get the discount.

[Peter57]

One of the best holidays we had as a family was a trip about 10 years ago to the US. Landed in LA and hired a minivan and headed north along the coast. Booked the first night's accomodation and for the next 3 week just went wherever our fancy took us. The coast road from LA to San Francisco is amazing, a beer at Big Sur - brilliant. Monteray is a bit touristy but interesting. San Francsico is cool, Yosemite valley is breathtaking. We ended up in all sorts of places and really had a great time. I'd say Las Vegas was probably the low point of the holiday. I've travelled the US by car and plane and if you have enough time I recommend a road trip. The states is a very interesting place once you get away from the main tourist areas.

If on the East coast the Smithsonian Air and Space museum is fantastic, the holocaust museum is worth the look. It's not entertainment but really makes you think. NYC - use the underground and the busses and just explore the city. I like the Museum of modern art and the Statue of Liberty is a must if only to say you did it.

My experience is that most places in the states are great to visit and safe as long as you know where not to go.

[Peter57]

Oh and I forgot; one day I hope to drive route 66 (well what's left of it) in a mid 60's convertible.

[AlexS]

I have always picked an area flown in, hired a car and done a circle over a week or more and then flown to another part of the states. Most of the big airlines offer cheap internal flights if you fly with them. I used to love telling Americans on planes it only cost us $80 when they were paying neally $700 or more for the same trip.
.

Thanks for that tip Durwood. I reckon I'll probably fly between centres & hire a car as you suggest.

Thanks also for the other tips. Boeing & NASA museums sound good. Keep 'em coming, it's early days in the planning so far.

[jow104]

Alex, you might need this.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/index.php

[bsrlee]

If you have a container or two organized for the shopping, I have been recommended the Boeing 'Factory Outlet' warehouse - tools, new luxury seats, parts, gadgets & gizmos - generally over-runs or 'dent&scratch' seconds. Build your own 747 in the garage :o

If in New York and looking for wood things, The Cloisters is the medieval wing of the Metropolitan Museum and has a large collection of Medieval & Rennaisance wood, as well as the 'Unicorn' tapestries - try to find the front door, when I was there I seem to have wandered in an open back door :doh:

If doing the 'family thing' you can always pre-check for major wood stores in the area that the family will be visiting.

[joe greiner]

If you go to San Francisco, don't miss the Exploratorium museum. About a mile east of the Golden Gate Bridge south abutment along the shore. It's hands-on exhibits and techno-intensive. Allow a full day. They had to throw me out at closing time.

[Seattle & Boeing have been mentioned. The 747 (or whatever they're making now) plant is in Everett, about 30 miles north. One of the largest enclosed spaces in the world.]

{Pilchuck glass school is also nearby. Founded by Dale Chihuly. One of the best.}

Joe

[bitingmidge]

Alex!

What a great thread! I'm taking copious notes.

So how would you answer if the same question was aked of Aus? :p

All good stuff above. Not only is the US a similar (sort of) scale, the East Coast for example, is about the same length as the Qld one.

We eventually intend to drive the length of both coasts, and do a bit in the middle in three or four bites. You could spend forever in NY or at the Smithsonian for that matter.

So how long are you going to be there? A quick trip for me would be a few days in Washington DC, then NY for a week, DRIVE to Boston via the Maine Coast visiting places like Newport, Rhode Island and the unforgettable Mystic Seaport, as well as a few Casinos on the way (for the spectacle not the gambling).

Mystic is worth the trip alone, even if you aren't a boatie person, it's an incredible two days, (every ticket gets you two days entry!).

Go back next year and do the West Coast! (anyone for a convoy?)

As for how to get round, a friend of ours who is a regular visitor to the West Coast, simply buys a "junker" for next to nothing, drives it for a few weeks, then leaves it at the airport with the keys in the ignition, and a sixpack on the driver's seat. Eventually he'll get arrested as a result of something one of his cars did, I'm sure, but it makes a great dinner story.

Cheers,

P
:D :D :D

[smitthhyy]

....
Go back next year and do the West Coast! (anyone for a convoy?)
....

I'm definatally in. Been over there 8 times in the last 8 years and still heaps more to see.

[johnc]

An interesting thread, unlike Oz you can at least drive across three states before smoko. We've done the Washington, New York, Philly, Providence leg by train which was great as you see parts of America you do not see by road. Like here the view from the train is seldom the upmarket sections of town. Almost got to Warren Maine as we have relatives with a holiday cottage on the shores of Booth Bay which is about 40 miles away but we went there on a 4th July weekend and missed out, great seafood and more lobster buoys than you can poke a stick at. Did get to the falls and drove up into Canada and checked out LV.

Most of what I've seen has already been covered, so I would only say both the East and West coasts have a lot to offer, but look at the time available and don't try to do everything badly settle for fewer things well.

New York and Washington have a lot to offer but so do the other places mentioned it depends what your interest are really.

John

[jow104]

Most of all Alex makes from friends in the USA.

[MurrayD99]

About an hour North of LAX - The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library (and Air Force One (707) - all very well done and spectacular. If in Manhattan - the Metropolitan Museum of Art. If in Wyoming, The Tetons/Yellowstone. The rest, like the other said, especially Grand Canyon. Charlotte is nice on a wet Sunday! (Sorry Bob)

[AlexS]

Coast, simply buys a "junker" for next to nothing, drives it for a few weeks, then leaves it at the airport with the keys in the ignition, and a sixpack on the driver's seat. Eventually he'll get arrested as a result of something one of his cars did, I'm sure, but it makes a great dinner story.

Cheers,

P
:D :D :D

I was planning on walking around the airport until I find a car that looks unloved and has a six pack on the seat and the keys in the ignition, and borrowing it. Of course, I'll return it to the airport when I'm finished.:D

[PPW]

What about San Francisco? The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Trams, the Hippies, wow what a place, and the folks there are laid back & easy going, as opposed the the breakneck speed of Las Vegas

[rrich]

As for how to get round, a friend of ours who is a regular visitor to the West Coast, simply buys a "junker" for next to nothing, drives it for a few weeks, then leaves it at the airport with the keys in the ignition, and a sixpack on the driver's seat. Eventually he'll get arrested as a result of something one of his cars did, I'm sure, but it makes a great dinner story.


The trick is not to change the title. As long as the license tags are current, you can drive it. If you're ever stopped, the signed title document is good to prove ownership. The sob story that you just emigrated and are still living in a hotel without a permanent address should suffice.

When I moved from the east to the Los Angeles area, I kept the key fob of the hotel to prove that I didn't have a permanent address. (I put the house key on the key fob.)

[Andy Mac]

If you want to see some woodwork while you're there, check out this place, the Wharton Escherick Museum in Pennsylvania. Apparently he was known as the Dean of American craft.
Visit is by appointment but well worth the effort if the photos are anything to go by... I can't find the museum's own website, just lots of links from other people: http://www.levins.com/esherick.html

Cheers,

[joe greiner]

The Mercer Museum, near Philadelphia, has a large collection of old tools and other artifacts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercer_Museum

http://www.fieldtrip.com/pa/53489461.htm (Boink Mercer Museum)

Joe

[Gingermick]

If in Wyoming,

Brokeback Mountain

[Howdya do that]

Yosemite National Park has the most amazing trees, sequoia (spelling is probably not right, pronounce secoya).

New Orleans is the most fun place I have visited in my life:2tsup:

[Honorary Bloke]

New Orleans is the most fun place I have visited in my life:2tsup:


Not any more. :( :(

[Toymaker Len]

Yes the giant redwoods are fantastic and the giant sequias. We camped at Yosemite about seven weeks ago to see the trees. The biggest tree on earth is a sequoia called "General Sherman" in California south-west of LA. There are some fantastic wooden sculptures in some beautiful galleries on the coast road between LA and San Francisco, sorry I can't name them right now.
Check out hiring a car from oz via yr travel agent before you go. That way you have a car reserved at the airport and it costs about 35% less than hiring them on the spot.
We've just been there for a month selling our toys and looking for wood galleries. Fantastic place. but... My partner and I never bought more than one meal between the two of us. The food portions are so big that one meal was always enough for two aussies. There was somthing slightly obscene about a country full of obese people obsessed with food driving around in grossly oversized cars to grossly oversized shopping centres... What the hell they make great customers for aussie wood and the landscape is beautiful. Good luck, have a great trip.

[keju]

If you're going to New Mexico anyway it would be criminell to miss Texas!
I lived there for over 20 years.... beautiful place ( mostly lol) specially the hill country ( specially around April/may)
Go see the Alamo in San Antonio ( very small .... in the middle of town) and across from it the beautiful riverwalk... if you happen to be there on the 17th they dye the water green! :)
Corpus Christi is absolutely wonderful.... the beaches on Padre Island are out of this world..... unbelievable empty! Miles and miles of wide beaches!
Galveston has a old fashioned charm and from there you just have to go to the Space Center.... they will show you the room they use to communicate with the space shuttle!
In New Mexico... go to Alberqueque and Santa Fe..... now I totall forgot which one has the absolutely breathtaking winding staircase made without nails or screws.
So much to see ...... so little time.....

Juvy ( you could stop and see my grandkids in TX?) :)

[joe greiner]

The biggest tree on earth is a sequoia called "General Sherman" in California south-west of LA.

Mostly water SW of LA. Sequoias are NNW. Upover here, the sun is to the south, so you'll need to adjust your portable sundial.

Joe

[HappyHammer]

Alex,

Hire a Winnebago and travel using the many, many parks setup specifically for travellers in Winnebagos. In my expereince they are clean, safe and easy to use and much cheaper than hotels or motels. I've stayed in parks opposite Disney in LA, in the middle of Vegas, next to Candlestick park in San Fran, San Diego, Pheonix and many more. I travelled through California, Arizona and Nevada over a six week period and it was great. Each night planned the trip for the next day or decided to stay another night where we were.

The open road is great and met some interesting people in some of the off the beaten track spots we drove through and stayed at.

Grand Canyon is great, Hoover Dam, Vegas. Be careful ordering ribs in Arizona as they are usually beef ribs and very large!!

Our Winnebago had fridgefreezer, toilet, shower, microwave cooktop and oven although we mostly ordered out for pizza:U

I also lived in a place called Salinas in California for a while which is near Monterey. If you happen to drive through drop in at the Penny Farthing English pub, my cousin owns it. Salinas is a short drive from Carmel, Monterey and a famous links golf course, so other stuff to see too.

Above all get mobile so you can get out and about and off the beaten track.

HH.

[jow104]

Alex.
If hiring a car in Florida or other S.Eastern states be aware that they quite often restrict driving to some states only.. Whereas the northern states appear to let you drive anywhere in the USA.

[HappyHammer]

Checkout this site for KOA campsites for RVs they're everywhere !!

http://www.koa.com/where/usa.htm

HH.

[W.Lill]

I took my family to usa a couple of years ago for my son's wedding which was in St Paul. We started out in San Diego and flew early one morning to Las Vegas and picked up a Caddy, then headed off to the Grand Canyon, spent a very full day there then went and stayed the night in the Navajo area. Next day we travelled through Monument Valley (where many of John Wayne's westerns were filmed) finishing the day at Mesa Verde NP. Next day looked through the various old Indian communities before heading off for Moab. Stayed there for a couple of days to catch up, including much of a day at the Arches NP. This was a surreal experience as the day was over the century (in the old fashioned measure) but you could look out on the snow capped ranges over the way (part of the Rockies I think). From there we travelled to Bryce Canyon then to Zion NP and back to Las Vegas to catch a plane to St Paul.

What was it like? I haven't seen anything to rival the Grand Canyon - much much bigger than the valleys in the Blue Mountains, but the smoke haze hung around all day so that the view wasn't as good as it could have been. The movie of someone flying through the canyon in an ultralight was great but the motel was abysmal. The Cameron Trading Post was extremely interesting, left a fair bit behind in exchange for a Navajo rug. The accommodation at Mesa Verde was very ordinary, but the ruins were well worth the look. The drive in bank at Moab has to be seen to be believed. The motel at Bryce Canyon was better than any of the preceding ones and the Canyon is fascinating, lots to see and all in a very small area, but I thought that Zion NP was the best of all of them - saved the best till last.

interesting experience at the end - we arrived an hour late for our flight, but the plane was two hours late so we were OK. On the first take off there was a loud bang half way down the runway, so we went back to the terminal and waited - we waited on the plane for three hours with no A/C, no drinks, no food, and it was still over the hundred. Ended up getting to our hotel in St Paul at 4AM.

Driving around was dead easy, once you get used to driving on the wrong side of the road. The interstate highways are fabulous - I would have liked to bring one or two of them home in place of the RTA goat tracks that we have. Be aware that there is no such thing as a roadside stopping place, you are supposed to go to a fast "food" joint and eat that stuff they call fast-food.

The scenery was spectacular. Interesting to see so many variations on the theme of desert landscape within a 6 day drive - here you would have to drive for a month to see the same diversity of scenery - and you won't see anything like Bryce canyon anywhere in Australia.

Because it is a big place and the well known spots are so far apart you will probably have to fly, which is a pity. Many of the airlines are bankrupt and the service shows that. All flight bookings go into a computer system which seems to be on the look out for overseas visitors flying on single journey tickets - they are picked out for the strip searches, intrusive baggage checks and general airport hassle. It really is more enjoyable if you can drive.

[joe greiner]

... Be aware that there is no such thing as a roadside stopping place, you are supposed to go to a fast "food" joint and eat that stuff they call fast-food.
...
Many of the airlines are bankrupt and the service shows that. All flight bookings go into a computer system which seems to be on the look out for overseas visitors flying on single journey tickets - they are picked out for the strip searches, intrusive baggage checks and general airport hassle. It really is more enjoyable if you can drive.

The fast "food" joints can be avoided. Near larger towns/cities, a venture of a few miles away from the interstate will reveal some actual restaurants. Nearby rest areas and tourist info stations (usually at state lines) often have stacks of brochures with local services. Research via internet can also help.

In recent years, airport hassle has increased for all. I suppose overseas visitors might trigger more intensive inquiry, but not by much. No question it's more enjoyable to drive, especially if you're old enough to remember that air travel was pleasant once.

Joe

[bansheez71]

Don't know if its been mentioned but Las Vegas (http://www.lasvegas.com/), Nevada is all kinds of fun. There is so much to see. Free alcohol when you are in the casino's (well most of them). If you go during the week it is really cheap to stay there. Weekends can be very expensive though. Of all the places I've been this is my favorite place to visit. The hotel New York, New York has the craziest roller coaster I've every been on. You start in side the building then it goes outside upside down then it looks like you are going to plow into the street below. Circus Circus is a cheap place to stay and the have an indoor amusement park in case you have kids. I even enjoyed it at the age of 25.