IM HEADING TO THE USA IN JUNE 2013!

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  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    .

    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
    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
    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"
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    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.

    That sounds awesome!! Hopefully I can fit it in somewhere! Thanks for the info.
    .

    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.

    Ive got that down as a def n yessss i LOVE mexican food!!
    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

    If I can fit Chicago in somewhere I will!! Think i may need to extend this vacation!

    @digitalbill: I will be stopping at Key West on the Carnival Cruise :) anything in particular you recommend there?
  • Ocarina
    Ocarina Posts: 1,550 Member
    How about Idaho? LOL


    Wa waaaaaaaa wa.....:drinker:
  • LetsMakeupXtina
    LetsMakeupXtina Posts: 627 Member
    Sea World in SD is kind of run down these days.. but you will definitely want to go to the San Diego zoo.. and you will need an entire day for it, it's HUGE!!! love it there though. and you have Vegas lined up too. yep, good call.
  • LetsMakeupXtina
    LetsMakeupXtina Posts: 627 Member
    oh yeah and Gaslamp District in San Diego.. amazing.. lots of restaurants, places to stay, and fun bars... I rode my first mechanical bull at Gaslamp... great memories there lol
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    On the day you go to universal studios you should try to end the evening with yamashiro's hilltop restaurant in hollywood. amazing view and not too far away.
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    Sea World in SD is kind of run down these days.. but you will definitely want to go to the San Diego zoo.. and you will need an entire day for it, it's HUGE!!! love it there though. and you have Vegas lined up too. yep, good call.

    So are you saying its not worth seeing? We have a Seaworld here but thought Americas would be much better. Do they have whales there? Think i need to look into it further. What is the Safari Park like and does it require a full day?
    On the day you go to universal studios you should try to end the evening with yamashiro's hilltop restaurant in hollywood. amazing view and not too far away.

    Thanks will note that down. Planning on a LA hop on hop off tour aswell.
  • n_gal87
    n_gal87 Posts: 85 Member
    I'm from NY and currently living in LA so hopefully I can be of some help. While you're at Universal you should do the studio tour if you have time - if you're into movies/tv at all its pretty cool, they show you have stuff is made and take you on to sets and stuff. I haven't done the Universal one but I did the WB one and they took us on the set of Friends, Mike and Molly, Ellen, Desperate Housewives, Gilmore Girls, etc. it was pretty cool!

    I'd also try to make it out to Santa Monica if you can squeeze it in, its only about a 20 minute drive from Downtown so depending on where your staying its not too far but they have the famous pier which may be fun for your daughter depending on how old she is, and lots of restaurants. Behind it there's a promenade with tons of shopping, street musicians, etc.

    In NY I'd make time for the Empire State building, Central Park, Ground Zero and the Statue of Liberty (they recently opened it back up so you can climb all the way to the top which is pretty cool), while you're there you can also see Ellis Island, its interesting but more museum-esque so it might not be your thing. Other than that, definitely try the NY pizza and bagels!! Little Italy can be a fun place to walk around too, they have some of the best Italian food I've ever eaten, including in Italy. I forgot when you said you'd be here, but if the Yankees are playing thats always fun too!
  • Elleinnz
    Elleinnz Posts: 1,661 Member
    [quot



    If I was to choose between Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam which would you recommend and why?

    When I was in Vegas I took a helicopter trip out to the Grand Canyon which was awesome - you fly over the Hoover Dam, and land at the Canyon for an hour or so - then fly back - with a stop in the desert to refuel before you fly back to Vegas - and they do a fly over Vegas as well - loved it

    http://www.maverickhelicopter.com/tour-listing.aspx
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Food in America... This thread helped out so much!

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/845421-traveling-to-america-should-i-be-concerned?
  • Bucky83
    Bucky83 Posts: 1,194 Member
    Bump for ideas for when I head to New York in September this year.
  • pseudomuffin
    pseudomuffin Posts: 1,058 Member
    In NY, make sure you go to the natural history Museum, and definitely eat as much as you can in Chinatown! So cheap, so delicious, just hop on the metro and you'll have all sorts of interesting, tasty stuff to try :)
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    ^^^Ill def check it out, thanks. Want to experience as much as possible while Im there :)
    I'm from NY and currently living in LA so hopefully I can be of some help. While you're at Universal you should do the studio tour if you have time - if you're into movies/tv at all its pretty cool, they show you have stuff is made and take you on to sets and stuff. I haven't done the Universal one but I did the WB one and they took us on the set of Friends, Mike and Molly, Ellen, Desperate Housewives, Gilmore Girls, etc. it was pretty cool!

    I'd also try to make it out to Santa Monica if you can squeeze it in, its only about a 20 minute drive from Downtown so depending on where your staying its not too far but they have the famous pier which may be fun for your daughter depending on how old she is, and lots of restaurants. Behind it there's a promenade with tons of shopping, street musicians, etc.

    In NY I'd make time for the Empire State building, Central Park, Ground Zero and the Statue of Liberty (they recently opened it back up so you can climb all the way to the top which is pretty cool), while you're there you can also see Ellis Island, its interesting but more museum-esque so it might not be your thing. Other than that, definitely try the NY pizza and bagels!! Little Italy can be a fun place to walk around too, they have some of the best Italian food I've ever eaten, including in Italy. I forgot when you said you'd be here, but if the Yankees are playing thats always fun too!

    Thanks first hand experience is exactly what I want! I will make sure to do everything you listed!
  • NCmcMan
    NCmcMan Posts: 36
    Bo, you need to go out to the Smokey mountains out on the Tennessee/North Carolina boarder. Rent a Harley Davidson for a day, and just take in the beauty. Everyone that goes on a vacation to another country usually wants to go to the tourist traps, but I highly recommend against doing that. There is so much hidden beauty in everybody's country to get all tangled up in the "norm" Just a suggestion for ya ;)
  • karen91967
    karen91967 Posts: 154 Member
    i went to Vegas last year - it was great!! While there you need to take a day trip to the Western Rim of the Grand Canyon and go out on the skywalk!! It was truly amazing and worth the money!! We went thru Viator Tours. The tour bus picked us up at our hotel early in the AM and brought us right back there in the evening- we stayed at the Monte Carlo!
  • digitalbill
    digitalbill Posts: 1,410 Member
    @digitalbill: I will be stopping at Key West on the Carnival Cruise :) anything in particular you recommend there?
    The Florida Keys, and Key West in particular are pretty unique.
    While they are in Florida, folks in the Keys are basically in an entirely different country.
    The history of the Keys was based on pirates and looters. Once you land in Key West, make sure you check out Duval street.
    I don't know how much you are into American history but, the Harry Truman white house is there.
    Basically, President Truman spent so much time down in the Keys, he had a residence built. It is now a museaum.
    Earnest Hemmingway had a house which is now converted into a museaum also.
    Mallory square gets a bit crazy at sundown so it might be worth hanging around if you have the time.
    There is also a tour of the PIRATE SOUL MUSEUM which is kinda cool.
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    Sooo much awesome input from u all!! May have to look at extending my stay!
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    Can someone pls tell me if i can fit Universal Studio and the LA Hop on-Hop off Tour in 1 day.
  • LindsayHein
    LindsayHein Posts: 73 Member
    If you have time in San Diego and have access to a car, you should drive along PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) at sunset. It is absolutely beautiful. If you are into photography you can get some amazing photos. Even if you're not, it is sooooo worth it.

    In New York, you should check out Battery Park. It is an old elevated train track that has been converted into a park. Also, if it's your thing, you should catch a Broadway show.

    Also, you can take the BOLT bus from New York down to my neck of the woods, DC! There are lots of amazing FREE museums, monuments, and the National Zoo. The Natural History and Air and Space Museums are my favorite. Most of the Museums are along the National Mall you can see a lot in one day. Hope you have a blast whatever you decide to do.
  • SquidVonBob
    SquidVonBob Posts: 290 Member
    I'm a bit biased but San Francisco is beautiful! Also, if you'll be in Vegas try and see "O". I adore Cirque Du Soleil and O is their most popular show. I've always wanted to see it but it only plays in Vegas and I've never been there.
  • horsewhisper91
    horsewhisper91 Posts: 456 Member
    Check out New Orleans the French quarters. You have to try the food down there! :)

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