Kozhe
Well-known
Hi everybody,
This is the first time I´m going to the States and there are so many things I´d love to see that it´s gonna be hard to make a plan. I guess I feel like an american who goes to "Europe" for the first time...
So far, we (lady and me) will arrive to Los Angeles on Sept. 1st and leaving from NY on the 21st. That makes barely 3 weeks to get a feeling of what the americans are. But what to do in between we just can´t decide. The overall route is California (San Francisco´s on the top of the list)-->Las Vegas (maybe a visit to Grand Canyon)-->Texas (where??? I´d love to go to a rodeo and get into the texan mood so to say. Maybe a visit to San Antonio also)-->Deep South (again, where??)-->NY
Walk-pictures-a couple of museums-get to know a lot of people, that´s more or less the plan.
We don´t drive so we´ll move either flying or by bus. What do you think are the places we should NOT miss in our way to the atlantic coast??
Also, I must say this is just a part of a 3 months travel around the world so we´re really on the cheap side if you know what I mean.
You ideas and tips are more than welcome
This is the first time I´m going to the States and there are so many things I´d love to see that it´s gonna be hard to make a plan. I guess I feel like an american who goes to "Europe" for the first time...
So far, we (lady and me) will arrive to Los Angeles on Sept. 1st and leaving from NY on the 21st. That makes barely 3 weeks to get a feeling of what the americans are. But what to do in between we just can´t decide. The overall route is California (San Francisco´s on the top of the list)-->Las Vegas (maybe a visit to Grand Canyon)-->Texas (where??? I´d love to go to a rodeo and get into the texan mood so to say. Maybe a visit to San Antonio also)-->Deep South (again, where??)-->NY
Walk-pictures-a couple of museums-get to know a lot of people, that´s more or less the plan.
We don´t drive so we´ll move either flying or by bus. What do you think are the places we should NOT miss in our way to the atlantic coast??
Also, I must say this is just a part of a 3 months travel around the world so we´re really on the cheap side if you know what I mean.
You ideas and tips are more than welcome
tjh
Well-known
Have you thought about planning a rail trip across the USA by Amtrak (www.amtrak.com)? Amtrak even has some associated bus routes.
Looking at the Amtrak map, I'd suggest Los Angeles - Las Vegas (bus) - Los Angeles- San Francisco - Salt Lake City - Denver - Chicago - Washington DC - New York.
I wouldn't recommend much in the South in September - It will be hot and humid! However, you might consider a flight from Chicago to Miami and then to Washington DC to pick up the train again. You could take a bus to the Florida Keys - tropical islands accessible by road. Of course September is the peak of hurricane season and Miami will be quite humid. But the Keys always have a light wind (heavy !!!! wind during a hurricane, of course).
Let me know if you decide to come to Miami.
Tom
Looking at the Amtrak map, I'd suggest Los Angeles - Las Vegas (bus) - Los Angeles- San Francisco - Salt Lake City - Denver - Chicago - Washington DC - New York.
I wouldn't recommend much in the South in September - It will be hot and humid! However, you might consider a flight from Chicago to Miami and then to Washington DC to pick up the train again. You could take a bus to the Florida Keys - tropical islands accessible by road. Of course September is the peak of hurricane season and Miami will be quite humid. But the Keys always have a light wind (heavy !!!! wind during a hurricane, of course).
Let me know if you decide to come to Miami.
Tom
tjh
Well-known
Or, a round trip flight from Washington DC or Chicago to Miami, which might be less expensive than an open jaw itinerary like Chicago - Miami - Washington DC.
Tom
Tom
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Learn to drive. Otherwise you'll have difficulty in finding places like Pratt, Kansas and Dull, Tennessee. I've been through both...
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
dbarnes
Well-known
Sounds like the adventure of a lifetime!
This itinerary might be just possible in three weeks in a little rental car:
LAX > Hollywood > Las Vegas > Grand Canyon National Park.
Salt Lake City > Yellowstone National Park.
St. Louis (Mississippi River, arch) > San Antonio > New Orleans.
Atlanta > Washington, DC. > NYC.
This itinerary might be just possible in three weeks in a little rental car:
LAX > Hollywood > Las Vegas > Grand Canyon National Park.
Salt Lake City > Yellowstone National Park.
St. Louis (Mississippi River, arch) > San Antonio > New Orleans.
Atlanta > Washington, DC. > NYC.
finguanzo
Well-known
I dont think that trains/buses will be a good idea...
A friend tried to travel through the country on greyhound buses, not a good experience.. Trains are not much better, and pretty expensive... I say you guys rent a car for the trip, will probably be cheaper and definitely easier to get around.. Its also easier to get to off the beaten path places which would be impossible on a train...
A friend tried to travel through the country on greyhound buses, not a good experience.. Trains are not much better, and pretty expensive... I say you guys rent a car for the trip, will probably be cheaper and definitely easier to get around.. Its also easier to get to off the beaten path places which would be impossible on a train...
dbarnes
Well-known
Oops! You're not driving!
I agree with Finquanzo, buses are not a good bet. They're the means of last resort for getting around this country.
And train service is not up to European or Asian standards, that's for sure! But there is a train itinerary that would (not inexpensively) hit some of the places you mentioned:
LA > San Francisco > Seattle via the Coast Starlight train.
Seattle > Glacier National Park > Chicago via the Empire Builder train.
Chicago > New Orleans via the City Of New Orleans train.
New Orleans > San Antonio via the Sunset Limited train.
San Antonio > New Orleans via the Sunset Limited train.
New Orleans > New York via the Crescent train.
This flying itinerary also would hit some of the places you mentioned and take advantage of layovers in hub cities to minimize the number of tickets you'd need to buy:
LAX > San Francisco (bus side trip to Yosemite and Redwoods National Parks)
San Francisco > San Antonio via Denver (layover in Denver)
San Antonio > Washington via Atlanta (layover in Atlanta)
Washington > New York
I agree with Finquanzo, buses are not a good bet. They're the means of last resort for getting around this country.
And train service is not up to European or Asian standards, that's for sure! But there is a train itinerary that would (not inexpensively) hit some of the places you mentioned:
LA > San Francisco > Seattle via the Coast Starlight train.
Seattle > Glacier National Park > Chicago via the Empire Builder train.
Chicago > New Orleans via the City Of New Orleans train.
New Orleans > San Antonio via the Sunset Limited train.
San Antonio > New Orleans via the Sunset Limited train.
New Orleans > New York via the Crescent train.
This flying itinerary also would hit some of the places you mentioned and take advantage of layovers in hub cities to minimize the number of tickets you'd need to buy:
LAX > San Francisco (bus side trip to Yosemite and Redwoods National Parks)
San Francisco > San Antonio via Denver (layover in Denver)
San Antonio > Washington via Atlanta (layover in Atlanta)
Washington > New York
tjh
Well-known
Driving is certainly the way to go. But, if driving is not an option, I think trains are a possibility. I've taken several cross country train trips in the USA and all have been satisfactory. I agree that long distance buses are going to lead to disappointment and a lot of time wasted.
Vics
Veteran
Check out Southwest Airlines. They are the closest thing we have to EasyJet or Ryan Air. Not nearly as cheap. Go to their site http://www.southwest.com/ and get on their mailing list for cheapest fares. Only our big cities (NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington DC, etc.) have good mass transit. Look at Southwest's route map for their destinations. Avoid Amtrak and buses.
bob338
Well-known
Buses are super creepy, and bus stations can be dangerous, probably not the best idea for first time visitors. Riding the dog(Greyhound) is the last resort for travel here, that's why it's so cheap.
I would stick to the train, or as Roger suggested learn to drive.
If you drive, you'll really see the US, not the train/bus stations of the US. It's hard to get pictures of the natural arches in Utah, Carhenge, or whatever Robert Frank saw when you're a mile out of town on a train at 80mph.
I would stick to the train, or as Roger suggested learn to drive.
If you drive, you'll really see the US, not the train/bus stations of the US. It's hard to get pictures of the natural arches in Utah, Carhenge, or whatever Robert Frank saw when you're a mile out of town on a train at 80mph.
andredossantos
Well-known
You definitely need a car, otherwise 3 weeks is not enough. The US generally has bad public transportation when it comes to long distances. Very uncomfortable, lots of stops and most importantly for your trip _a lot_ of wasted time.
Just your LA-SF-Las Vegas leg will take over a week due to traveling on buses. You can drive from LA to SF in 5 or 6 hours, on a bus its probably twice that. Then you have to traverse the rest of the country in a bus which takes FOREVER, or a train which is more expensive than flying or renting a car and takes a little bit less than forever.
Rent a small, compact car. If you do, 3 weeks is perfect.
That being said, when you get to NYC PM me if you want to do some photo walks of the cities "off the beaten path" destinations not usually stumbled upon by tourists: Queens, The Bronx, etc
Just your LA-SF-Las Vegas leg will take over a week due to traveling on buses. You can drive from LA to SF in 5 or 6 hours, on a bus its probably twice that. Then you have to traverse the rest of the country in a bus which takes FOREVER, or a train which is more expensive than flying or renting a car and takes a little bit less than forever.
Rent a small, compact car. If you do, 3 weeks is perfect.
That being said, when you get to NYC PM me if you want to do some photo walks of the cities "off the beaten path" destinations not usually stumbled upon by tourists: Queens, The Bronx, etc
drew.saunders
Well-known
Unfortunately, not being able to drive is a problem in this country. Although I do drive and own a car, I'd prefer to not use it, but that's not always an option. Our trains aren't as fast, and the country really is huge. The "lower 48" are 8,080,464 km², España is 505,992 km², just for comparison. Yep, you could fit 16 Spains here, without even considering Alaska!
San Francisco has a pretty good system of busses and light rail (http://www.sfmta.com), BART if you want to go to the East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley, etc. http://www.bart.gov) and Caltrain if you want to get down the Peninsula (where I live, but honestly, there's not much here for tourists to see if you don't have a car. See http://www.caltrain.com). There are also busses that will get you across the golden gate bridge into Marin county and others that will take you into wine country.
If you must go to Vegas to see the excess, look for a trip to the Grand Canyon. I just did a quick search, and there are lots of tours that take you from Vegas to the canyon and back on their time table, but I couldn't quickly find any that will drop you off so you could stay a few days if you wanted. There appear to be more options from Flagstaff, Phoenix or Williams AZ. http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm
Another option is to fly to Reno to visit Lake Tahoe, for which there are many non-driving options.
Yosemite is well worth visiting, and I just found a site that lists many train and bus options for visiting, including from LA: http://jrabold.net/yosemite/transp.htm
Amtrak is very far from high speed rail, but the scenery might make up for the "casual" pace of the journey.
Fortunately, the eastern seaboard is more densely populated, so has more train options. The train from DC to NYC is reasonably fast, and DC is well worth visiting (all the Smithsonian museums are free!)
Have a good trip!
Drew
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Bus travel across the US is mind-numbing. Multiple days in a cramped seat with nowhere to go. The train is better as one can walk around a bit on the train, but not any more stimulating, and perhaps less as the train is often behind all the buildings when in a town.
New Orleans, Memphis?
New Orleans, Memphis?
TheFlyingCamera
Well-known
If you're doing the southern route, and you want to drive, I'd say do something like LA-SF-Las Vegas-Santa Fe-Phoenix-Austin-San Antonio-New Orleans-Savannah-Charleston-Cape Hatteras-Richmond-Washington DC-Philadelphia-New York. I'm leaving out Baltimore not because there's nothing to see, but because it would slow down your progress and take time away from New York at the end of the trip, and New York is one of those places you want to spend a lot of time.
As previously mentioned, doing the southern route will be miserable, weather-wise, as September is the triple-H month- Heat, Humidity and Hurricanes. The first two are guaranteed, the third is a good possibility. The upside is that accommodations in that area at that time will be more available and less expensive. A different but still interesting drive would be to go from LA to San Francisco, then take the Lincoln Highway from San Francisco to New York. The Lincoln Higway was the original coast-to-coast road dating back to 1913. It runs through small towns all across the country, and would be a great way to get a feel for "real America". If you need to pick up the pace, much of its length is paralleled by Interstate 80.
http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/map/
If driving is off the list, I'd say from LA, you can get a bus to Las Vegas, and then from LV to San Francisco by bus. Then fly to Dallas if you want to get a taste of Texas (because Dallas is a very convenient transit hub). Fly from Dallas to DC, and take the train or the bus from DC to New York. The problem with all of this is your budget. If you're on a budget, then LA, San Francisco and Washington DC have a good chance of blowing your budget even before you get to New York. Figure bus between LA - Las Vegas and LV-SF will run you about $50-100 each person each leg, more if you fly. Hotels in LA, San Francisco, DC and New York that are "budget" hotels will be in bad condition, in questionable neighborhoods, very far away from anything you want to do, or some combination of all three. Clean, safe and convenient will cost you over $100/night in all four, more in New York City. The SF-Dallas flight will probably be $200-$300 each person, and same for the Dallas-DC. You can get the train from DC - New York for as little as $50 if you're willing to travel at ungodly hours of the morning, or you can get one of the DC to NY express buses for as little as $9, if you travel at different but otherwise similarly inconvenient times of the day (noon departures, for example). There are several major lines of express bus between DC and New York that are quite nice, and NOT dodgy like Greyhound - Boltbus, Megabus, DC2NY to name a few. I've used Boltbus before and the seats are nice, the buses are clean, and they only make 1 or 2 stops between DC and New York, so they get there pretty quickly.
As previously mentioned, doing the southern route will be miserable, weather-wise, as September is the triple-H month- Heat, Humidity and Hurricanes. The first two are guaranteed, the third is a good possibility. The upside is that accommodations in that area at that time will be more available and less expensive. A different but still interesting drive would be to go from LA to San Francisco, then take the Lincoln Highway from San Francisco to New York. The Lincoln Higway was the original coast-to-coast road dating back to 1913. It runs through small towns all across the country, and would be a great way to get a feel for "real America". If you need to pick up the pace, much of its length is paralleled by Interstate 80.
http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/map/
If driving is off the list, I'd say from LA, you can get a bus to Las Vegas, and then from LV to San Francisco by bus. Then fly to Dallas if you want to get a taste of Texas (because Dallas is a very convenient transit hub). Fly from Dallas to DC, and take the train or the bus from DC to New York. The problem with all of this is your budget. If you're on a budget, then LA, San Francisco and Washington DC have a good chance of blowing your budget even before you get to New York. Figure bus between LA - Las Vegas and LV-SF will run you about $50-100 each person each leg, more if you fly. Hotels in LA, San Francisco, DC and New York that are "budget" hotels will be in bad condition, in questionable neighborhoods, very far away from anything you want to do, or some combination of all three. Clean, safe and convenient will cost you over $100/night in all four, more in New York City. The SF-Dallas flight will probably be $200-$300 each person, and same for the Dallas-DC. You can get the train from DC - New York for as little as $50 if you're willing to travel at ungodly hours of the morning, or you can get one of the DC to NY express buses for as little as $9, if you travel at different but otherwise similarly inconvenient times of the day (noon departures, for example). There are several major lines of express bus between DC and New York that are quite nice, and NOT dodgy like Greyhound - Boltbus, Megabus, DC2NY to name a few. I've used Boltbus before and the seats are nice, the buses are clean, and they only make 1 or 2 stops between DC and New York, so they get there pretty quickly.
marcr1230
Well-known
Three weeks is not a lot of time
The USA is really big and trains/buses aren't as effective as in Europe
You basically have nature and big cities and small town rural
Big cities are easy to get to and get around with public trans or taxis within city
Flights or trains b&w cities
Outside of that you really need a car
If you go to one national park - make it Yelliwstone
There is also a rodeo in Cody Wyoming at the eastern entrance
As we like to say, they have both types of music there, Country and Western
San Francisco is great
I loved the parks in Utah - Zion and Bryce are a couple hours from Las Vegas - you might be able to take a tour bus there from Vegas
See a baseball game - it's a unique American experience - come to Chicago I'll set you up
Museums - depends what you like, we have great museums all over - natural history in NY
Art museums in Chicago and NY among other places
I like aviation and there are great air museums
Washington DC is a must see - the mall is full of museums and memorials
You want to see real America - go to the Oshkosh air show in late July
Go for a horseback ride in Utah or Wyoming
Go on a rafting trip
Bring lots of money and have a great time
The USA is really big and trains/buses aren't as effective as in Europe
You basically have nature and big cities and small town rural
Big cities are easy to get to and get around with public trans or taxis within city
Flights or trains b&w cities
Outside of that you really need a car
If you go to one national park - make it Yelliwstone
There is also a rodeo in Cody Wyoming at the eastern entrance
As we like to say, they have both types of music there, Country and Western
San Francisco is great
I loved the parks in Utah - Zion and Bryce are a couple hours from Las Vegas - you might be able to take a tour bus there from Vegas
See a baseball game - it's a unique American experience - come to Chicago I'll set you up
Museums - depends what you like, we have great museums all over - natural history in NY
Art museums in Chicago and NY among other places
I like aviation and there are great air museums
Washington DC is a must see - the mall is full of museums and memorials
You want to see real America - go to the Oshkosh air show in late July
Go for a horseback ride in Utah or Wyoming
Go on a rafting trip
Bring lots of money and have a great time
huddy
Well-known
I'd recommend renting a car for at least a portion of the trip if you want to see anything that is off the beaten path. Southwest offers great service in Dallas/Houston/Austin/San Antonio. All 4 cities can also be reached by Amtrak which would be a plus for you.
If you come to San Antonio, stop by Gruene Hall on the 14th for Hayes Carll, a Texas Country/Americana musician. The missions (Alamo especially) in San Antonio are worth the visit too. There are some very good BBQ restaurants in the area around Austin and San Antonio. I can vouch for many of them. Torchy's Tacos in Austin is a great breakfast place that has a slightly different fusion spin on tacos/burritos. If you are looking for other southern food, I'm not sure where to point you as I usually cook it myself! I'm not currently aware of any rodeos in Texas during the time you visit.
If you come to San Antonio, stop by Gruene Hall on the 14th for Hayes Carll, a Texas Country/Americana musician. The missions (Alamo especially) in San Antonio are worth the visit too. There are some very good BBQ restaurants in the area around Austin and San Antonio. I can vouch for many of them. Torchy's Tacos in Austin is a great breakfast place that has a slightly different fusion spin on tacos/burritos. If you are looking for other southern food, I'm not sure where to point you as I usually cook it myself! I'm not currently aware of any rodeos in Texas during the time you visit.
Kozhe
Well-known
Guys, you are great. So much ideas and good tips, thank you so much
Although we both have driving license, last time I drove was at my exam, some 6 years ago. I don't want to visit your land and kill someone in the process so getting a car is really a far option, although I'd love to!! So basically we plaan on flying between the big farther cities (LA, Dallas, NY...) and visiting other places around by bus or train.
Let me digest all your input and prepare a better route. I'll try to comment on your individual ideas too. Thanks again!
Although we both have driving license, last time I drove was at my exam, some 6 years ago. I don't want to visit your land and kill someone in the process so getting a car is really a far option, although I'd love to!! So basically we plaan on flying between the big farther cities (LA, Dallas, NY...) and visiting other places around by bus or train.
Let me digest all your input and prepare a better route. I'll try to comment on your individual ideas too. Thanks again!
Roger Hicks
Veteran
That's probably adequate if you're careful and keep your speed down. It's hard to convey just how bad the worst American drivers are, especially in California (where I lived for 5 years). Average drivers... not so bad. Bad drivers... worse than you might easily believe.Guys, you are great. So much ideas and good tips, thank you so much
Although we both have driving license, last time I drove was at my exam, some 6 years ago. I don't want to visit your land and kill someone in the process so getting a car is really a far option, although I'd love to!! So basically we plaan on flying between the big farther cities (LA, Dallas, NY...) and visiting other places around by bus or train.
Let me digest all your input and prepare a better route. I'll try to comment on your individual ideas too. Thanks again!
Cheers,
R.
Frontman
Well-known
I've crossed America many times, by bus, car, train, and even on foot. I enjoyed all the trips very much.
The bus is not so pleasant if you are traveling from one place to another, and are in a hurry, but it is not at all bad if you are just traveling. I found the bus to be an interesting way to see the country, and even to meet new people. My last ride in particular was very interesting.
The train has it's good and bad points. The goos points are that it's comfortable, and a ticket is good in one direction for a period of time, so if there is a place you are interested in seeing, you can get off the the train, and then catch the next train when it comes along. In the case of coast-to-coast trains, the next train may not be for a couple of days.
The best way of course is by car, as America's infrastructure was based on automobiles as the primary form of transportation.
I don't recommmend flying, it's fast, but the scenery looks the same wherever you happen to be. Boring.
The bus is not so pleasant if you are traveling from one place to another, and are in a hurry, but it is not at all bad if you are just traveling. I found the bus to be an interesting way to see the country, and even to meet new people. My last ride in particular was very interesting.
The train has it's good and bad points. The goos points are that it's comfortable, and a ticket is good in one direction for a period of time, so if there is a place you are interested in seeing, you can get off the the train, and then catch the next train when it comes along. In the case of coast-to-coast trains, the next train may not be for a couple of days.
The best way of course is by car, as America's infrastructure was based on automobiles as the primary form of transportation.
I don't recommmend flying, it's fast, but the scenery looks the same wherever you happen to be. Boring.
CajunCC
Member
My suggestion:
Rent a car and drive (or take a train if it's available)
Los Angeles, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Grand Canyon, AZ
San Antonio/Austin, TX
New Orleans, LA
Nashville, TN
Washington, DC
Philadelphia, PA
New York, NY
And if it's possible, maybe stop driving at Philadelphia and fly up to Boston, MA and then back down to New York. If you're taking a trip to the US, I don't think you can miss DC, Philadelphia, and Boston. There's just so much history in those cities and so much of what makes the US the country it is.
Rent a car and drive (or take a train if it's available)
Los Angeles, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Grand Canyon, AZ
San Antonio/Austin, TX
New Orleans, LA
Nashville, TN
Washington, DC
Philadelphia, PA
New York, NY
And if it's possible, maybe stop driving at Philadelphia and fly up to Boston, MA and then back down to New York. If you're taking a trip to the US, I don't think you can miss DC, Philadelphia, and Boston. There's just so much history in those cities and so much of what makes the US the country it is.