IM HEADING TO THE USA IN JUNE 2013!

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  • SoliQ
    SoliQ Posts: 158 Member
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    I love the San Diego Zoo and you will enjoy the great weather, a looottt of waliking but worth it!
  • Micahroni84
    Micahroni84 Posts: 452 Member
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    I like the Rockies and pacific NW in the summer...

    I'm from the PNW. If you can get up to Hurricane Ridge in Washington in the summer it is beautiful. Go see the rainforest if it's something you haven't seen before.
  • tjs616
    tjs616 Posts: 51 Member
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    My favorite part of Vegas is hiking in Red Rock Canyon :love: There is also Valley of Fire, which I recommend on the same day you do the Hoover Dam. It's about an hour drive to get up and in there, but if you drive through and come out the other side you are in the Lake Mead National Recreational area, which eventually leads to the Hoover Dam. Also a great place for hiking, or just taking in the scenery.

    For stuff on the strip, obviously there is the usual, drinking partying, etc. If you're clubbing, each one has a specific night where it is THE place you need to be. Definitely check it out before you come if that's your thing. Really you need to get into pretty much every big casino if you want the Vegas experience. Bellagio has a conservatory that is beautiful to walk through, and a blown glass flower ceiling in the lobby. Mirage has a volcano that explodes at night. A trip to the top of the stratosphere is a good idea at dusk, so you can see the valley in light and once the sunsets. Really, all of the big hotel/casinos are unique and have something worth seeing if you go inside. There is ALWAYS something to do here in Vegas!
  • RobfromLakewood
    RobfromLakewood Posts: 684
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    One thought on Vegas, you can learn it there, but not sure how much you like to gamble. The most fun is shooting craps, if you're not sure of the ins & outs, let me know if you want some advice, or youtube it. It's the only gambling I do when there. I don't make a LOT, but I rarely lose off this game.
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
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    100% agree that Hoover Dam is close and seriously cool, Grand Canyon is a farther drive, but it is amazing. Also, while in Vegas, of all the shows, Blue Man Group is impossible to explain, but is crazy funny and fun.

    Prices for Southern California residents are cheaper for Disneyland. My wife and I live about 20 minutes from Disneyland so I can look into picking up cheaper tickets as we get closer to the date, but driving over there is to meet you is no problem. You should go to both Disneyland and California's Big Adventure, which is right next door. There are certain must rides and I can send you a list if you like and there area few tricks to get to every ride as well. It will be a busy day, but a fun one.

    Oddly enough, my wife and I are flying off to Orlando late that night, in part to visit Disneyworld.


    Thanks I will note those down! I was looking at getting the CityPass which will cover All the parks/attractions I will be doing in Southern Cali. Do locals get better prices on those also? I would be extremely thankful if you could look into that for me!
    Feel free to email me in regards to the tricks to get everything done in the park! sheldonsteyn@hotmail.com
    Oh wow! Have you been to Disneyworld before? I was unsure as to which was better to see but decided Anaheim is an easier location.
    I am yet to book accommodation in Anaheim and San Diego so if you have any suggestions that would be very helpful coming from a local!
  • Tuffjourney
    Tuffjourney Posts: 971
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    Yes to the SD Zoo and the wild animal park. Awesome, you can also see tons more. Here is a link that might help you.
    http://www.smartdestinations.com/san-diego-attractions-and-tours/...Check out the smart card.(City pass)
    My daughter and I did it for LA and had a blast and saved tons of money.
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
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    anyone know what the status of Jersey Shore is? Really want to see the place and check out clubs such as Karma that I see on MTV's "Jersey Shore". Met Mike 'Situation' and Pauly D when they came to Aust. (I do security/bouncer/bodyguard work so was on the job when I met them).

    Jersey shore is still pretty much a wreck. Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant were hit pretty hard. most of the boardwalk was swept away. Cool thing to see in a morbidly curious way, but there wont be much clubbing. They say the shore will be open for the summer but i imagine it will be in a very limited fashion this year. A lot of restaurants closed altogether.

    That is so disappointing and even worse for residents/business owners. The place looked awesome from what I saw on MTV
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
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    Yes to the SD Zoo and the wild animal park. Awesome, you can also see tons more. Here is a link that might help you.
    http://www.smartdestinations.com/san-diego-attractions-and-tours/...Check out the smart card.(City pass)
    My daughter and I did it for LA and had a blast and saved tons of money.

    Thankyou for your input. I will def go to these places. Ive read about a San Diego Go Card for $77 that gives you access to these places as well as 48+ other attractions in San Diego!
    Will def be getting City Pass in LA!
  • carriann2012
    carriann2012 Posts: 180 Member
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    When you are in L.A. you have to check out Hollywood!! Sunset Blvd, Hollywood Blvd!! The hotels I stayed at while in Vegas were Mandalay Bay, New York New York, Monte Carlo and MGM. You should go on line and check out all the Vegas deals!! Have Fun!!! :drinker:
  • fjrandol
    fjrandol Posts: 437 Member
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    Make sure to look for deals on food/activities; I prefer www.districtfinds.com, which is an aggregator for groupon, livingsocial, etc. You can get some really good discounts and get ideas for things you might not have otherwise considered checking out.

    Are you going straight from the airport to Anaheim? Are you renting a car? Be sure to account for travel times, because everything (particularly in the LA area) is very spread out. That being said, there are TONS of hotels really close to disneyland so you'll have a bevy of options. Anaheim GardenWalk is fairly close to the action and has some great restaurants.

    The gaslamp quarter in San Diego is a nice area if you're looking for places to stay. Lots of restaurants, shopping, etc. and easily walkable.

    Vegas has soooo much free stuff to do; make sure to check out the pirate ship at Treasure Island, the fountains at Bellagio, all that good stuff. You can take your girl on the gondolas at the Venetian, go shoot machine guns at the Gun Store, the choices are practically endless.

    For food, I like the breakfast buffet at Paris, and for a more offbeat dining experience, I would definitely recommend Capos. You need to make reservations, and it's not on the strip, but definitely worth it for the old-school Vegas vibe.

    Have a great trip!!
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
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    One thought on Vegas, you can learn it there, but not sure how much you like to gamble. The most fun is shooting craps, if you're not sure of the ins & outs, let me know if you want some advice, or youtube it. It's the only gambling I do when there. I don't make a LOT, but I rarely lose off this game.

    YESSS!! Please inform me about these craps. sheldonsteyn@hotmail.com
    I am def lookin forward to that stratosphere with the rides!
    I want to see as many clubs and casinos as possible, not for the partying reasons but the experience. I can drink gamble n dance anywhere so my main thing is experiencing all that Vegas has to offer.

    If I was to choose between Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam which would you recommend and why?
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
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    When you are in L.A. you have to check out Hollywood!! Sunset Blvd, Hollywood Blvd!! The hotels I stayed at while in Vegas were Mandalay Bay, New York New York, Monte Carlo and MGM. You should go on line and check out all the Vegas deals!! Have Fun!!! :drinker:

    I will def go to those places in LA! Planning on doing a hop on/hop off tour of LA ????

    Out of the places you stayed which would u recommend? They are quite cheap! I was looking at MGM, Monte Carlo, Planet Hollywood or Vdara.
  • carriann2012
    carriann2012 Posts: 180 Member
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    The gaslamp quarter in San Diego is a nice area if you're looking for places to stay. Lots of restaurants, shopping, etc. and easily walkable.

    Vegas has soooo much free stuff to do; make sure to check out the pirate ship at Treasure Island, the fountains at Bellagio, all that good stuff. You can take your girl on the gondolas at the Venetian, go shoot machine guns at the Gun Store, the choices are practically endless.


    Yep she is correct you have to check out the gaslamp quarter in San Diego!!! Lot's of restaurants and clubs..And Treasure Island is a must and if you like to party The Palms Hotel & Casino!!
  • whitehairedguy64
    whitehairedguy64 Posts: 105
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    You've completely bypassed Chicago and the Great Lakes. Chicago is a beautiful city, lots to see and do and EAT!! Ya gotta have a Chicago Style Hot Dog! oh..........bring your body armor..........

    Great Lakes........................beautiful..............NO sharks!!
  • carriann2012
    carriann2012 Posts: 180 Member
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    Vdara does not have a casino but I heard this is very nice, I have not stayed at Planet Hollywood yet but I have had friends that stayed there and loved it. I think you will be safe with any of the ones you pick, they all have over a 4 star rating. :smile:
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
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    Make sure to look for deals on food/activities; I prefer www.districtfinds.com, which is an aggregator for groupon, livingsocial, etc. You can get some really good discounts and get ideas for things you might not have otherwise considered checking out.

    Are you going straight from the airport to Anaheim? Are you renting a car? Be sure to account for travel times, because everything (particularly in the LA area) is very spread out. That being said, there are TONS of hotels really close to disneyland so you'll have a bevy of options. Anaheim GardenWalk is fairly close to the action and has some great restaurants.

    The gaslamp quarter in San Diego is a nice area if you're looking for places to stay. Lots of restaurants, shopping, etc. and easily walkable.

    Vegas has soooo much free stuff to do; make sure to check out the pirate ship at Treasure Island, the fountains at Bellagio, all that good stuff. You can take your girl on the gondolas at the Venetian, go shoot machine guns at the Gun Store, the choices are practically endless.

    For food, I like the breakfast buffet at Paris, and for a more offbeat dining experience, I would definitely recommend Capos. You need to make reservations, and it's not on the strip, but definitely worth it for the old-school Vegas vibe.

    Have a great trip!!

    VERY INFORMATIVE!! THANK YOU ????
    I arrive on the 9th with my daughter and my parents, we will stay in LA. My cousin & his gf arrive on 10th in which we will visit Universal Studios then leave from there to Anaheim to stay close by to Disneyland for an early start to the day.
    I will def look into the valuable information u have provided me with.
    My daughter wont be with me in Vegas, she is going to Cancun with my parents for a week so that I can enjoy the Vegas nightlife with my cousin & his gf. I will enjoy the Gondolas though haha.
  • bikermike5094
    bikermike5094 Posts: 1,752 Member
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    If you dont come to the Black Hills of South Dakota, you've totally missed the history of the old wild west. Deadwood, Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickock Seth Bullock all buried in Deadwood. Gold mining, and did I mention Mount Rushmore or the Crazy Horse memorial? What about Devils tower just across the state line in Wyoming? If you want scenery, come up through Yellowstone then over to the Black Hills.

    There is a reason they hold the largest motorcycle rally in the WORLD here during the Sturgis motorcycle rally here every year. Annual attendance is between 300k and 700k bikers.. its because our little neck of the woods has so much variety and beautiful scenery. Fishing, hiking, camping, mt biking, rock climbing.. you name it. And its never congested.
  • Tuffjourney
    Tuffjourney Posts: 971
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    .

    The gaslamp quarter in San Diego is a nice area if you're looking for places to stay. Lots of restaurants, shopping, etc. and easily walkable.

    Yes, the gaslamp quarters is the place to visit at night. Also, Old town, best mexican food ever. Plus the Whaley house is there. It is a "true" haunted house. You can take the trolley from Gaslamp(Which is downtown San Diego) to Old town. Super fun. I sure hope you have a wonderful time here. This is where I live and it is beautiful.
  • Bridget0927
    Bridget0927 Posts: 438 Member
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    Chicago in the summer time is to be beat. I work with Aussies and brits they all agree. Plus having the accent you'll clean up :-)
    Midwest peeps are friendly and laid back you'll looove it
  • digitalbill
    digitalbill Posts: 1,410 Member
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    Ok peeps heres the deal...
    I'll be heading to America in June and need feedback, advice, recommendations etc.

    I arrive @ LAX 9th June, Universal Studios 10th, Disneyland 11th, Adventure Park 12th.
    Head to Sea world in San Diego 13th, Explore San Diego 14th (is the zoo & safari worth seeing?)
    15th-19th Im in Vegas: seeing DL Hughley 15th, Eddie Griffin 17th. Anything else I should consider?
    20th-25th NY: site seeing and need suggestions!
    26th-29th: Explore Miami 26th & 27th, attend my bros bodybuilding comp 28th & 29th. Afterparty at Club LIV.
    30th-6th July: Caribbean Carnival Cruise.
    7th: Return to Gold Coast, Queensland Australia!

    What have I missed that HAS TO BE SEEN in USA?!!
    Whos gonna be my tour guide?
    Who has the hook ups for Theme Park tix or VIP nightlife experiences?
    Anyone been on the Carnival Breeze Cruiseship?

    All input/feedback/suggestions/info/hook-ups will be greatly appreciated!
    Since you are already going to be in Miami, make sure you make it down to Key West
    "The southern most point in the United States"

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