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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.
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
Avoid South Carolina....... https://www.ubeaut.biz/fishing.gif
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.
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 :) )
Come on over to Texas, Ill chuck a shrimp on the BBQ for yall.
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.
Lee Valley, spectacular sights:D :D :D
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.
A day at Yosemite national park is well spent. :2tsup:
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
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.
I ought to send you a Reddie. :rolleyes: :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers
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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:
Warren, Maine :D
2 bites on the one bait. :2tsup:
Ha. :D :p
Ottawa, Ontario or Halifax, Nova Scotia
Which one is you Bob? :p
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.
Johnson Space Centre in Houston, fabby,
Sebastiaan
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
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:
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.
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.
Oh and I forgot; one day I hope to drive route 66 (well what's left of it) in a mid 60's convertible.
Thanks for that tip Durwood. I reckon I'll probably fly between centres & hire a car as you suggest.Quote:
Originally Posted by durwood
Thanks also for the other tips. Boeing & NASA museums sound good. Keep 'em coming, it's early days in the planning so far.
Alex, you might need this.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/index.php
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.
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
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
I'm definatally in. Been over there 8 times in the last 8 years and still heaps more to see.Quote:
Originally Posted by bitingmidge
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
Most of all Alex makes from friends in the USA.
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)
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.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by bitingmidge
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
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by bitingmidge
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.)
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,
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
Brokeback MountainQuote:
Originally Posted by MurrayD99