IM HEADING TO THE USA IN JUNE 2013!

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Replies

  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    Frankly the city of Miami sucks, but Key West is beautiful. You also might want to check out the glades while your there.

    I am only in Miami for the 27th-30th of June. Most of this time will be taken up with the natural bodybuilding comp that my brother is competing in. Will most likely only have 1 or 2 days tops of site-seeing and I have to go to a Miami beach as it is highly spoken of, like an icon over here! Love watching CSI Miami and it looks beautiful over there!
    I will be visiting Key West during the Carnival Cruise I am going on :)
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    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 ;)

    I agree with this. I was thinking you should do some hiking in Virginia, Tennessee, or NC. I'm not sure if you're into hiking, but the views from the top are amazing!
  • nessagrace22
    nessagrace22 Posts: 430 Member
    My only suggestion is that you buy me ticket so I can come to. Sounds amazing and the US is my dream destination...just saying...no pressure :laugh:
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    I dont need to be in Miami until the 27th and Check out of hotel in NY on 25th so have that space between to fill and figured DC would be an interestin place to visit tourist wise.

    This would be a perfect time to burn some cals hiking in Virginia! :tongue: Sharp Top is amazing!

    http://www.hikingupward.com/jnf/peaksofotter/
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    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 ;)

    I agree with this. I was thinking you should do some hiking in Virginia, Tennessee, or NC. I'm not sure if you're into hiking, but the views from the top are amazing!

    I am def into nature and hiking but all depends on where I am and if I am able to get to places as there are quite a few of us and everyone has to agree with activities as we are travelling together. 7 adults 1 child. But it will just be me, my cuz n his partner in Vegas so I have more flexibility and freedom of choice there as I am staying separate to them and can do my own thing :)
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    Bring comfy shoes for walking the strip in Vegas! My sister honeymooned there and came back with blisters on her feet.
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    My only suggestion is that you buy me ticket so I can come to. Sounds amazing and the US is my dream destination...just saying...no pressure :laugh:

    hahahaha you would have to wait in line as there are SOOOOOOOOOOO many people wanting what you want lol
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    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 ;)

    I agree with this. I was thinking you should do some hiking in Virginia, Tennessee, or NC. I'm not sure if you're into hiking, but the views from the top are amazing!

    I am def into nature and hiking but all depends on where I am and if I am able to get to places as there are quite a few of us and everyone has to agree with activities as we are travelling together. 7 adults 1 child. But it will just be me, my cuz n his partner in Vegas so I have more flexibility and freedom of choice there as I am staying separate to them and can do my own thing :)

    I forgot to mention, it's about 3 hours from DC (Sharp Top, I mentioned in the next post)
  • gaga4glitter
    gaga4glitter Posts: 129
    Have a fun trip when you come here!! You need to hit up Vegas for sure!
  • alliemarie77
    alliemarie77 Posts: 378 Member

    What have I missed that HAS TO BE SEEN in USA?!!

    ummmm....THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS!!!! nuff said :wink:

    Oh, and the Carnival Cruise will be great! I am looking forward to our cruise next Summer with our kids! :) My advice to you on the cruise is to go to the shows on the ship, and book excursions! :)
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    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!
    YES>..Valley of Fire is awesome.

    Death Valley is pretty damned cool too, and you can do a modified trip there in a day trip from Vegas too.

    As far as what "HAS" to be seen in the USA...you could be here for months and not have time to see all the awesome variety of landscapes and sites there are to appreciate (I'm sure the same can be said for Australia), but it does look like you've got a good trip ahead of you. Have a fantastic time :drinker:

    I know its too far outside of your itinerary, but I spent some time in Utah and Wyoming/Montana (Yellowstone) last year and it was quite possibly some of the most amazing sights I've seen...
  • Nalelini
    Nalelini Posts: 3 Member
    I have done a California road trip in september 2012. And here are my suggestions:
    CALIFORNIA:
    - LOS ANGELES is the most pointless city ever. Complete waste of time and traffic there is horrible. It takes you 3 hours to drive 5 miles. There is nothing to it aside of the famous "Hollywood street" and if you wanna drive through the posh streets while looking at posh houses. Malibu beach is great and Santa Monica is nice. Universal studios are good, but i went to the one in Orlando not in LA. Also not sure about LA Universal Studios, but there are 2 Universal Studios in Orlando and you need the entire day to see them both.
    - SAN FRANCISCO is a MUST see. I was there for 5 days and I didn't think it was enough: Alcatraz experience, riding a bike over Golden Gate bridge, city tour and walking through the Golden gate park. It was all amazing, There is sooo much to see and do.
    - I absolutely LOVED SAN DIEGO. What a laid back city and people are really nice. San Diego Zoo is a MUST. It's the biggest one in the world and you will need the entire day for it. Make sure you are wearing very comfortable trainers (no flip flops or hard shoes or you will come back to a hotel covered in blisters in the evening). I don't know who said that Sea World in San Diego is run down, but it's not true. There is nothing wrong with it. In fact San Diego Sea World in september was in better state than the Sea World in Orlando (to which I went to 10 years ago). You definitely have to go to Old town in San Diego - best mexican food EVER and there is a special charm to it as well! I recommend that you stay in Gaslamp Quarter when in San Diego. If you have time and want to chill out some then a drive to Coronado Island is great + a public beach there is great. Also, don't forget that you have a large US Naval Base in San Diego. It's well worth taking a boat trip around it. You will get to see all the navy ships (from destroyers to carriers to medical ships etc).
    - A drive up the Pacific Coast Highway is the best drive I have ever done (driving from San Diego to San Francisco). What an unforgettable experience. The best part is a drive through Big Sur, towards Monterey. I am defo coming back to do that again! Just put on the music and have the camera ready at all times. Pictures don't get much better than that.
    - You probably won't have time, but I also drove to lake Tahoe. What a great area to chill and relax. There is also an option of Yosemite National Park, which is worth seeing.

    FLORIDA:
    - I wouldn't waste 2 days in Miami. Especially since you will be on a tight schedule trying to fit everything into your trip. The city is nice but there isn't that much to it.
    - KEY WEST is a MUST SEE. Make sure you drive to it. The drive on overwater bridges to get to it is quite amazing. If you have a daughter then make sure you take her for swimming with the dolphins when you are there as well. It's not cheap but it's something she will appreciate for the rest of her life.
    - Dunno why no one mentioned Everglades to you yet. Definitely worth seeing. Go on an airboat (fanboat) and have a bit of fun with the alligators!
    - Kennedy Space Center in Orlando is well worth seeing as well. It is also close to Cape Canaveral, which is probably where your cruise ship will be leaving from. So depending on when your ship leaves or comes back (morning, evening?) you can probably fit that in on the same day.
    - I forgot whether you are doing Disney World in Orlando or LA. Disney World has 4 parks in Orlando. You really need a day for each one of them, especially if you have kids with you. Dunno if you planned on doing more than just Magic Kingdom in it. You also have Epcot and Disney's Animal Kingdom and a big water park that you and your kid will enjoy.

    NEW YORK CITY:
    - American museum of natural history is a MUST SEE. You will spend hours in there. Museum is next to central park so make sure you have a walk around that as well while you are there.
    - have a walk to Rockefeller Center
    - make sure you go and see a broadway show or two.
    - Empire state building
    - Ground Zero
    - Times Square walk and shop
    - China Town on Canal Street and Little Italy
    - Liberty statue
    - if you have time pop to Brooklyn side to get some nice pictures of Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge

    I haven't been to these yet (it's on to do list), but you should definitely think about adding a few days to your trip (if your work allows you to) and seeing them: Niagara Falls, Yellowstone Park, Washington DC.

    Enjoy every minute of your trip. It will be amazing! And expensive! :)
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    I have done a California road trip in september 2012. And here are my suggestions:
    CALIFORNIA:
    - LOS ANGELES is the most pointless city ever. Complete waste of time and traffic there is horrible. It takes you 3 hours to drive 5 miles. There is nothing to it aside of the famous "Hollywood street" and if you wanna drive through the posh streets while looking at posh houses. Malibu beach is great and Santa Monica is nice. Universal studios are good, but i went to the one in Orlando not in LA. Also not sure about LA Universal Studios, but there are 2 Universal Studios in Orlando and you need the entire day to see them both.
    - SAN FRANCISCO is a MUST see. I was there for 5 days and I didn't think it was enough: Alcatraz experience, riding a bike over Golden Gate bridge, city tour and walking through the Golden gate park. It was all amazing, There is sooo much to see and do.
    - I absolutely LOVED SAN DIEGO. What a laid back city and people are really nice. San Diego Zoo is a MUST. It's the biggest one in the world and you will need the entire day for it. Make sure you are wearing very comfortable trainers (no flip flops or hard shoes or you will come back to a hotel covered in blisters in the evening). I don't know who said that Sea World in San Diego is run down, but it's not true. There is nothing wrong with it. In fact San Diego Sea World in september was in better state than the Sea World in Orlando (to which I went to 10 years ago). You definitely have to go to Old town in San Diego - best mexican food EVER and there is a special charm to it as well! I recommend that you stay in Gaslamp Quarter when in San Diego. If you have time and want to chill out some then a drive to Coronado Island is great + a public beach there is great. Also, don't forget that you have a large US Naval Base in San Diego. It's well worth taking a boat trip around it. You will get to see all the navy ships (from destroyers to carriers to medical ships etc).
    - A drive up the Pacific Coast Highway is the best drive I have ever done (driving from San Diego to San Francisco). What an unforgettable experience. The best part is a drive through Big Sur, towards Monterey. I am defo coming back to do that again! Just put on the music and have the camera ready at all times. Pictures don't get much better than that.
    - You probably won't have time, but I also drove to lake Tahoe. What a great area to chill and relax. There is also an option of Yosemite National Park, which is worth seeing.

    FLORIDA:
    - I wouldn't waste 2 days in Miami. Especially since you will be on a tight schedule trying to fit everything into your trip. The city is nice but there isn't that much to it.
    - KEY WEST is a MUST SEE. Make sure you drive to it. The drive on overwater bridges to get to it is quite amazing. If you have a daughter then make sure you take her for swimming with the dolphins when you are there as well. It's not cheap but it's something she will appreciate for the rest of her life.
    - Dunno why no one mentioned Everglades to you yet. Definitely worth seeing. Go on an airboat (fanboat) and have a bit of fun with the alligators!
    - Kennedy Space Center in Orlando is well worth seeing as well. It is also close to Cape Canaveral, which is probably where your cruise ship will be leaving from. So depending on when your ship leaves or comes back (morning, evening?) you can probably fit that in on the same day.
    - I forgot whether you are doing Disney World in Orlando or LA. Disney World has 4 parks in Orlando. You really need a day for each one of them, especially if you have kids with you. Dunno if you planned on doing more than just Magic Kingdom in it. You also have Epcot and Disney's Animal Kingdom and a big water park that you and your kid will enjoy.

    NEW YORK CITY:
    - American museum of natural history is a MUST SEE. You will spend hours in there. Museum is next to central park so make sure you have a walk around that as well while you are there.
    - have a walk to Rockefeller Center
    - make sure you go and see a broadway show or two.
    - Empire state building
    - Ground Zero
    - Times Square walk and shop
    - China Town on Canal Street and Little Italy
    - Liberty statue
    - if you have time pop to Brooklyn side to get some nice pictures of Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge

    I haven't been to these yet (it's on to do list), but you should definitely think about adding a few days to your trip (if your work allows you to) and seeing them: Niagara Falls, Yellowstone Park, Washington DC.

    Enjoy every minute of your trip. It will be amazing! And expensive! :)

    WOW!!! Thankyou so much for taking the time to inform me of all of that! MUCH APPRECIATED and will DEF make not of all you said!!
    2 weeks till im there!!!
  • rosemaryhon
    rosemaryhon Posts: 507 Member
    NY you have to go to the statue of liberty! Also check out www.vegas.com for cheap tickets to shows! Have a blast!


    I've lived in NY all my life and went once ;) ~ it was okay LOL. Truth is you can enjoy the view of the statue perfectly from onshore of the island of Manhattan. If I only had a few days in NYC I wouldn't waste a whole day ferrying over to climb the stairs for an hour or more (often there's a traffic jam IN the stairwell, ugh!), just to get a glimpse out a tiny window, pushed on by those behind you, and start back down the crowded stairs.

    I would suggest walking from downtown, starting at Southstreet Seaport, thru Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Little Italy, up past Times Square and on to Central Park ~ 5th Ave or Broadway would be a great route.

    Enjoy!
  • fitnh
    fitnh Posts: 238 Member
    Boston, MA....so much to see and so much history!
  • morkiemama
    morkiemama Posts: 894 Member
    I live near Buffalo, NY which is not far from Niagara Falls!

    If you do end up going there, I second that the Canadian side has the better falls. :) If you do go to the Canadian side of the Falls, keep in mind you will be exiting the U.S. and will need to go through Customs both ways. Lately, coming back into the States can be a pain in the @ss (they can hassle you a lot at the border). :( So keep that in mind when making your plans. In addition, driving over can have LONG wait times at the bridges. Alternatively, there is a way to walk across instead of driving.

    The American side of the Falls are still great! :) The Falls themselves are still awesome and you could also do the Maid of the Mists tour. They take you to the Falls in a boat! There is also a speedboat over the rapids attraction, which is pretty intense.

    http://www.maidofthemist.com/en/

    http://www.whirlpooljet.com/

    Sounds like your trip is going to be action packed! I hope you have a wonderful time! <3
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    Have a fun trip when you come here!! You need to hit up Vegas for sure!

    YES I CANNOT WAIT FOR VEGAS!!! I'll be there 15-19th
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    NY you have to go to the statue of liberty! Also check out www.vegas.com for cheap tickets to shows! Have a blast!


    I've lived in NY all my life and went once ;) ~ it was okay LOL. Truth is you can enjoy the view of the statue perfectly from onshore of the island of Manhattan. If I only had a few days in NYC I wouldn't waste a whole day ferrying over to climb the stairs for an hour or more (often there's a traffic jam IN the stairwell, ugh!), just to get a glimpse out a tiny window, pushed on by those behind you, and start back down the crowded stairs.

    I would suggest walking from downtown, starting at Southstreet Seaport, thru Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Little Italy, up past Times Square and on to Central Park ~ 5th Ave or Broadway would be a great route.

    Enjoy!

    Sounds like excellent advice! Thankyou!
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    I live near Buffalo, NY which is not far from Niagara Falls!

    If you do end up going there, I second that the Canadian side has the better falls. :) If you do go to the Canadian side of the Falls, keep in mind you will be exiting the U.S. and will need to go through Customs both ways. Lately, coming back into the States can be a pain in the @ss (they can hassle you a lot at the border). :( So keep that in mind when making your plans. In addition, driving over can have LONG wait times at the bridges. Alternatively, there is a way to walk across instead of driving.

    The American side of the Falls are still great! :) The Falls themselves are still awesome and you could also do the Maid of the Mists tour. They take you to the Falls in a boat! There is also a speedboat over the rapids attraction, which is pretty intense.

    http://www.maidofthemist.com/en/

    http://www.whirlpooljet.com/

    Sounds like your trip is going to be action packed! I hope you have a wonderful time! <3


    DEF keen on the boat tours!!! Thanks :)
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    1 WEEK 6 DAYS TO GO!!!!
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    may have been said as I skipped some pages but I'd just do 2 of the 3 theme parks in LA. And I highly recommend the VIP tix at them if you can. A little bit extra but it was the difference between 1hr+ waiting times and maximum 5mins at Universal.

    HIGHLY recommend the grand canyon tour by chopper. I went with maverick and thought they were great.

    Can these tix be purchased at the park as an addition to the SoCal City Pass? Def interested in that as I don't wanna spend all day in lines and ill have my 3yr old daughter with me so want her to see as much as possible. Doing Universal with my parents and daughter then Disneyland and Adventure Park with my daughter, cousin and his partner as my parents are not interested in those parks and going with my cuz n his partner I have someone to watch my daughter so I can go on rides as well :)

    yep, you can buy them at at the parks :smile:
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    10 DAYS TO GO!!!! COUNTDOWN IS ON!!!
  • mikeschratz
    mikeschratz Posts: 253 Member
    And on your way to Miami, stop in Savannah Georgia. It is an awesome town with a lot of US history and southern bells....
  • Nicolee_2014
    Nicolee_2014 Posts: 1,572 Member
    Ooooh. I'm so jealous!
    I hope to head over there again soon when my kids are a bit older.
    ENJOY :drinker:
  • aquinoz
    aquinoz Posts: 182 Member
    .
  • sheldonsteyn
    sheldonsteyn Posts: 483 Member
    Hey guys can anyone tell me if there is much to do near Texas airport? I have a 1.5hr stop off there on my way from MIA to LAX.
  • mellymo29
    mellymo29 Posts: 70 Member
    Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, New Orleans, don't miss it
  • Trechechus
    Trechechus Posts: 2,819 Member
    Hooray for California!

    The San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park (Which many of us still call the Wild Animal Park) are both AMAZING! If you have time, try to hit the beach too. You'll be super close to Huntington Beach (Surf City) and the beach is just awesome anyway.
  • AnnieH_4512
    AnnieH_4512 Posts: 1,422 Member
    Too bad you're not coming to the Midwest!! :-(
  • grantdumas7
    grantdumas7 Posts: 802 Member
    I have been both to the Safari park and the San Diego Zoo. I live less than 10 miles from the Safari park and about 25 from the zoo. If I had to choose one it would the San Diego Zoo. I wasn't that impressed with the Safari park.