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[123rl]

I'm going to America in July for about 3 weeks, but I'm not sure the best places to stay and visit.

I want to go to New York. Is the airport near NYC? Is it a taxi-ride away or a lot further? Are there hotels/motels near the hotspots that are pretty cheap? I want to see most of the main sites - Statue of Liberty, Central Park etc

I also want to go to Vegas. Same questions as before - is accomodation cheap? Is the airport fairly close to whatever there is to see in Vegas?

I'm also off to Washington but I'm staying with a friend, so I don't need any advice on that. Any tips for places to see/things to do would be welcome though

Thanks

 

[Do The Mario]

I also want to go to Vegas. Same questions as before - is accomodation cheap? Is the airport fairly close to whatever there is to see in Vegas?

GO the trailer park.

 

[lexy]

In regards to your questions about Las Vegas, yes the airport is very close to the strip (the tourist area of Las Vegas; which is probably what you'd want to see) and accomodations are (IMO) very cheap depending on the time of year you are visiting.

With New York, it depends on what airport you are flying into. I've only flown into JFK and that seemed pretty far from Manhattan (I'm not sure if it was just traffic or because I'm not very familiar with the roads).

 

[djtiesto]

There's 3 airports around NYC - JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. Never been to Newark, but both LaGuardia and JFK are in Queens, near the north shore and south shore respectively. There's a monorail that just opened recently that you can take from JFK to the Jamaica LIRR station (you can take the LIRR into Penn Station), but (for some godforsaken reason) subways don't go to either. It's gonna be rather expensive no matter where you stay in Manhattan, hate to say it, but nearly all of the sites are accessible by subway, aside from the airport

Where are you coming from? Definitely visit NYC, it's an amazing experience.

 

[123rl]

Thanks guys

I've never been to New York so I have no idea what is where. It's one place in America I've always wanted to see though. I'll probably be flying to JFK but I'll be coming from Washington so I guess there are flights from Washington to all of the airports in New York?

So I could get from JFK to Manhattan via the Jamaica LIRR? Is Manhattan the 'main' area I should stay in? I want to visit lots of places and I don't mind travelling, but I'd like an area that's fairly central to all of the attractions

Thanks, loxy. I'll probably be going to Vegas with a mate (and staying in New York on my own) so the airport close to the Strip is great news

Is there cheap accomodation in Manhattan and along the Strip in Vegas? I don't know how cheap 'cheap' actually is but would $30 a night be possible?

Thanks, I appreciate it

 

[AntoneM]

while your in Vegas, you might want to consider visiting the Grand Canyon. I assume it's a fairly long trip (a full day for there and back) but it's a humbling experience

 

[Sh0k]

This is a good time to visit Yellowstone Park

 

[123rl]

Thanks for the tip but I think I'll sidestep the trip to Yellowstone Park

Max, I want to go to the Grand Canyon. My mate did this last year (travelling across the US) and said the Canyon is fantastic. He said you can take a helicopter trip into the Canyon? Sounds like fun

 

[kgHavok23]

the Grand Canyon is truely breathtaking.....one of the many sites in this great country where you could just stand....and stare....for hours.

you can ride a mule or something down the Canyon too with a guide and a group. I didn't do it, but it sounds like an interesting experience haha

 

[way more]

The Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, and then maybe Arches National Park.


Monument Valley first.

 

[123rl]

Nice, that looks really impressive...I feel humbled :lol

There is just nothing like that in the UK. You could fit about half of England in the Grand Canyon :lol It's roughly the equivalent of Liverpool (north west England) to London (south east England!)

 

[MrPing1000]

Nice, that looks really impressive...I feel humbled :lol

There is just nothing like that in the UK. You could fit about half of England in the Grand Canyon :lol It's roughly the equivalent of Liverpool (north west England) to London (south east England!)

well the trade off is we all live in castles

 

[123rl]

:lol

Is that a reference to Eddie Izzard btw or just a coincidence?

 

[MrPing1000]

:lol

Is that a reference to Eddie Izzard btw or just a coincidence?

reference

 

[MIMIC]

Yeah...go to NYC. I went there for the first time over Spring Break (technically, I was there before, but I was too young to remember). That city is amazing.

I also got on TRL while I was there.

Just wandering around downtown was enough for me. All that damn advertisement is mesmerizing.

 

[123rl]

Sounds like what I'd enjoy Downtown? How far away is that from the airport/hotspots I should visit etc?

reference

Very good

 

[djtiesto]

Thanks guys

I've never been to New York so I have no idea what is where. It's one place in America I've always wanted to see though. I'll probably be flying to JFK but I'll be coming from Washington so I guess there are flights from Washington to all of the airports in New York?

So I could get from JFK to Manhattan via the Jamaica LIRR? Is Manhattan the 'main' area I should stay in? I want to visit lots of places and I don't mind travelling, but I'd like an area that's fairly central to all of the attractions

Thanks, loxy. I'll probably be going to Vegas with a mate (and staying in New York on my own) so the airport close to the Strip is great news

Is there cheap accomodation in Manhattan and along the Strip in Vegas? I don't know how cheap 'cheap' actually is but would $30 a night be possible?

Thanks, I appreciate it

The majority of the attractions are in Manhattan - Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim, Central Park, Museum of Natural History, Chinatown, the Cloisters, Times Square, United Nations, etc. This is what people usually think of when they think of New York, though it's definitely pricier than the other boroughs. I live an hour away from NYC and I *STILL* haven't been to quite a few of the places there!

 

[impirius]

No visit to America is complete without a trip to the Big Peach! It's our country's most sacred and treasured national monument as well as the inspiration for a moderately popular 1990s alternative rock song!

 

[123rl]

Thanks

Hmm, something to think about then. Would it be cheaper to stay just outside Manhattan and travel every day or just stay in Manhattan? I've got plenty of time to check that out

What/where is the giant peach? :lol If it's en-route to somewhere I'm going then I'll look out for it. I remember that song

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

visit our lovable religious fundamentalist. just dont sodomize anyone in texas or you'll burn at the stake. and dont talk about evolution in topeka, kansas and you'll be allright. and if you really want the whole NYC exp, come down to brooklyn and i'll show you a few "choice" spots.

 

[FnordChan]

What/where is the giant peach? :lol If it's en-route to somewhere I'm going then I'll look out for it. I remember that song

The great ass rising above the horizon is in Gaffney, South Carolina. I sincerely hope you're not anywhere near it. I see the peach when I'm driving to Atlanta, but otherwise am quite happy to avoid it.

Are you flying into Washington state or Washington DC? If you're in DC, set aside a day to check out the Smithsonian.

I've really enjoyed visiting NYC in the past, but I've only been on day trips and couldn't really comment on accomodations. I get the feeling $30 a day might be a bit tricky, but is probably doable if you aren't feeling too particular. Perhaps you could look into youth hostels or whatnot.

FnordChan

 

[Fragamemnon]

The giant peach is in the middle of nowhere in SC. Passed it more than a few times, as a lifelong resident of the cracker belt.

I can't really help you on where to go, though, unless you want to do a spot of birdwatching while you're here.

 

[Spectral Glider]

NY is cool, no doubt. But Vegas is really like another world....well, at least if you never been there before. Was only there for 4 days and wished I had about two weeks.

 

[djtiesto]

You might be able to get something on LI, like a motel or something, for cheaper, but you'll also need a round trip LIRR ticket or rent-a-car to get into the city. And I agree with the person saying to check out the Smithsonian... the National Mall is definitely worth a visit if you're down in DC though depending on the airport you're flying into (is it Dulles or Ronald Reagan?) it'll be a trip.

 

[123rl]

Hehe, yeah I'll be careful about what I say or do. I don't exactly agree with religious fundamentalists so it would be a good idea to stay away from them

$30 was just a very rough figure. I haven't set aside a budget for accomodation yet, but it would be higher than $30. Would, say, $50 be an easier figure to work with? I don't know what accomodation is like price-wise so I just $30 as a quick figure. $50 is about £25. If I spent that every night for about 17-18 nights it's still going to be less than half of the cost of my flight to Washington and back home. Flights to America seem to increase in price by about 45% during June/July...bastards! Unfortunately it's really the only time I can go.

Thanks for the suggestion re: the Smithsonian. I'll definitely have to go there and see it. Same with the mall if it isn't too far away (I'll have to check when I get there)

I've been to Vegas before - kind-of. I went on a school trip skiing to Lake Tahoe when I was in High School. It was AWESOME...best holiday of my life. One night we were taken out to Planet Hollywood in Nevada (it was only a mile or so away) and that was seriously cool. I was too young to go onto the casino floor though...I really wanted to see that part of Vegas.

I'm not sure what airport it'll be but I'm 99% sure it's Dulles Int. Airport. I'll check that tonight

Thanks for all the help and advice so far

 

[EviLore]

I've never lodged at a manhattan motel/hotel, but considering the property values, at $50 you'll be kissing your cockroaches goodnight and fighting nutria for tv remote privs.

When I stayed in Vegas at the MGM Grand it was roughly $100/night for the entry-level small, comfy room.

 

[FnordChan]

Thanks for the suggestion re: the Smithsonian. I'll definitely have to go there and see it. Same with the mall if it isn't too far away (I'll have to check when I get there)

The Smithsonian is on the Mall, so you'll be right there and able to enjoy both museums and monuments at the same time. Here's a PDF map of the Mall with all the major attractions highlighted. You can a week on the Smithsonian alone without even trying, so give the entire Mall at least a full day of your time. The Vietnam Memorial is stark and powerful and is well worth seeing; while you're there, pop into the Lincoln Memorial and spend some time admiring the reflecting pool. The Washington Monument is well worth admiring up close but going to the top may not be strictly necessary. As for the Smithsonian itself, it's all good; Air and Space and Natural History are the most popular, but I'm particularly fond of the Sackler Gallery (Asian art) and the Hirshorn Museum (which has an excellent sculpture garden and is stocked to the gills with contemporary art). That's a full day right there, and we haven't even discussed any of the big government sights, such as the Capitol, the White House, or whatnot.

While you're in DC, check out the National Zoo (Pandas!), or perhaps spend some time dining and shoping in Georgetown.

If you're still looking for parts of the country to go tearing off to, you could do a lot worse than hanging out for a few days in San Francisco.

Finally, for dining be sure to check out roadfood.com, a sprawling guide to cheap, delicious eats across the US, searchable by State. There's also plenty of activity in their forums. Mmmmm. Food.

FnordChan

 

[Dsal]

There's never been a time I've felt more patriotic than when I went to all the Smithsonian museums and they were free to boot. Wonderful wonderful stuff in there. Wish I could've spent a week going through all of them meticulously, but of course I only had a day .

 

[Particle Physicist]

You might be able to get something on LI, like a motel or something, for cheaper, but you'll also need a round trip LIRR ticket or rent-a-car to get into the city. And I agree with the person saying to check out the Smithsonian... the National Mall is definitely worth a visit if you're down in DC though depending on the airport you're flying into (is it Dulles or Ronald Reagan?) it'll be a trip.

i wouldnt stay in long island.. its too far. if anything, i would choose brooklyn.. should be cheaper than manhatten and you still have subway access.

if you want to stay in manhatten you might be able to find something on craigslist. people are always looking to rent out a room for a week or so. just be wary of the location.

 

[Guzim]

 

[fennec fox]

Hehe, yeah I'll be careful about what I say or do. I don't exactly agree with religious fundamentalists so it would be a good idea to stay away from them

I'm sure you realize this, but TV has a way of exaggerating everything. I am in Houston, the home of Halliburton and Tom DeLay, and people are normal just like anyplace else. Folks are folks. There isn't even an accent, really. I'm very disappointed.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

We should really start a thread about common misconceptions about Texas. Like for example, barely anybody has a drawl, barely anybody knows how to ride a horse, and Texas is NOT southern California.

 

[Particle Physicist]

We should really start a thread about common misconceptions about Texas. Like for example, barely anybody has a drawl, barely anybody knows how to ride a horse, and Texas is NOT southern California.

when i visited my friend in austin i was hoping to see plenty of cowboys... i only saw 3 in 4 days.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

when i visited my friend in austin i was hoping to see plenty of cowboys... i only saw 3 in 4 days.

Oh yeah, we do have a liberal city in Texas, its Austin. Its no coincidence that its also the prettiest area of Texas.


And back on topic, I would suggest you do some hotel scouting on travel websites to see how much you are willing to spend. And yeah, Manhattan is what most people outside of NY consider to be NYC.

 

[123rl]

If I had time to do it, I'd go and visit Texas. I'd love to see that place.

Fnord, I had no idea the Smithsonian was so big. I might have to devote two days to it and see a lot of it (sleep is for pussies anyway)

Thanks guys

 

[Cerebral Palsy]

World's Largest Thermometer in Baker, California.

World's Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, Kansas.

 

[Zensetsu]

No visit to America is complete without a trip to the Big Peach! It's our country's most sacred and treasured national monument as well as the inspiration for a moderately popular 1990s alternative rock song!

Man, Australia has a buttload of these things....big pineapple, big bannana, big crab, big prawn, big merino (sheep), big potato (i think? its not that big, unlike the others). and more.

People just love building them i guess. :lol

 

[Incognito]

Visit Washington D.C., if you can. I was just there for a week and it's still absolutely amazing.

 

[argon]

i haven't visited all of these places yet, but here would be my picks, and the best times:

New York City - July 4th or new years
New Orleans - marti gras
Las Vegas - new years, but expect a TON of people
Washington, D.C. - not sure but July 4th would be my pick
Los Angeles / Southern California - any time (or around E3 for some people =))

if you like sightseeing/hiking/adventure:

California has loads of places.. (joshua tree, high Sierras, sequoia, yosemite, etc)
Yellowstone, don't believe the doomsayers
Alaska, one of the only relatively untamed, pristine places left in the U.S.

on an unrelated note, unlike materialistic Los Angeles chicks, in my experience Texan girls are hot, approachable, and down to earth ... but they tend to get pretty meaty in as they approach their 30s =]