Backpacking in the US - lesser known cities to visit?
Jun 1st, 2016, 02:21 AM
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Backpacking in the US - lesser known cities to visit?
Hey,
In late October I'm going to be flying from Melbourne, Australia to LA for a holiday to celebrate my graduation. I fly in to LAX on October 27 and have between 5-6 weeks free in the US. I've already been quite a few times though and have visited Boston, DC, Philadelphia, NYC several times, Corpus Christi and San Antonio in Texas, and all over California, so I'm looking for suggestions of other places to go to that may be a bit more off the beaten track. I'm male, will be 23, probably travelling solo but may meet up with friends for parts of the trip, and I speak Spanish as well if that has any relevance to going to certain places. I'm pretty fit and don't mind hiking but prefer day hikes to camping. I like cities, music, art, and just meeting people and experiencing local culture.
So far some of the places people have mentioned to me are:
Jackson, Mississippi
Las Vegas, Nevada
Albuquerque; Calsbad Caverns; Santa Fe, New Mexico
Portland, Oregon
Memphis; Nashville, Tennessee
Austin, Texas
Salt Lake City; Zion National Park, Utah
Vermont (generally)
Seattle, Washington
Atlanta; Savannah, Georgia
New Orleans, Louisiana
Miami; Disneyworld, Florida
Sedona; Grand Canyon, Arizona
Charleston, South Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina
Also one of my friends recommended Fredericksburg, but I'm not sure if they were referring to the one in Texas or Virginia? Any thoughts?
I'm definitely not intending to try visit all these places, but would love some feedback on which of them are most recommended. I'm also quite interested in visiting somewhere that's typically Deep South and somewhere typically Midwestern, and if you have any other suggestions as well please let me know!
In late October I'm going to be flying from Melbourne, Australia to LA for a holiday to celebrate my graduation. I fly in to LAX on October 27 and have between 5-6 weeks free in the US. I've already been quite a few times though and have visited Boston, DC, Philadelphia, NYC several times, Corpus Christi and San Antonio in Texas, and all over California, so I'm looking for suggestions of other places to go to that may be a bit more off the beaten track. I'm male, will be 23, probably travelling solo but may meet up with friends for parts of the trip, and I speak Spanish as well if that has any relevance to going to certain places. I'm pretty fit and don't mind hiking but prefer day hikes to camping. I like cities, music, art, and just meeting people and experiencing local culture.
So far some of the places people have mentioned to me are:
Jackson, Mississippi
Las Vegas, Nevada
Albuquerque; Calsbad Caverns; Santa Fe, New Mexico
Portland, Oregon
Memphis; Nashville, Tennessee
Austin, Texas
Salt Lake City; Zion National Park, Utah
Vermont (generally)
Seattle, Washington
Atlanta; Savannah, Georgia
New Orleans, Louisiana
Miami; Disneyworld, Florida
Sedona; Grand Canyon, Arizona
Charleston, South Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina
Also one of my friends recommended Fredericksburg, but I'm not sure if they were referring to the one in Texas or Virginia? Any thoughts?
I'm definitely not intending to try visit all these places, but would love some feedback on which of them are most recommended. I'm also quite interested in visiting somewhere that's typically Deep South and somewhere typically Midwestern, and if you have any other suggestions as well please let me know!
Jun 1st, 2016, 04:38 AM
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I guess one question is how you intend to get around. Will you be renting a car? Taking buses? Trains? That will affect where you can go. You could use buses or trains for the majority of your intercity transport and rent a car to explore locally. You'll need transport in many of these places.
Given your interest in hiking, a trip to Denver or Boulder might be worthwhile, but only if you can go early in your trip to avoid heavy snows up in the mountains.
You might also consider a city in Oklahoma like Oklahoma City or Tulsa (I prefer the latter).
You might want to visit the Ozarks in Missouri or Arkansas, which is beautiful country with a temperate climate that's ideal in late Fall.
Jackson or Charleston are about as Deep South as you can get. But you might also like Montgomery or Birmingham in Alabama.
If you are at all interested in bourbon, then a trip to Kentucky might be a good option. The area around Louisville is filled with small-batch distilleries.
And if you are looking for something more typically American, the Panhandle of Florida is much more interesting and in places more beautiful than Orlando or Miami.
Given your interest in hiking, a trip to Denver or Boulder might be worthwhile, but only if you can go early in your trip to avoid heavy snows up in the mountains.
You might also consider a city in Oklahoma like Oklahoma City or Tulsa (I prefer the latter).
You might want to visit the Ozarks in Missouri or Arkansas, which is beautiful country with a temperate climate that's ideal in late Fall.
Jackson or Charleston are about as Deep South as you can get. But you might also like Montgomery or Birmingham in Alabama.
If you are at all interested in bourbon, then a trip to Kentucky might be a good option. The area around Louisville is filled with small-batch distilleries.
And if you are looking for something more typically American, the Panhandle of Florida is much more interesting and in places more beautiful than Orlando or Miami.
Jun 1st, 2016, 05:00 AM
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If you come here to NM, it should be early on as the weather in October is really good, but come November you run the risk of snow in Santa Fe. Albuquerque will be cool temps but likely no snow. And if you are in Santa Fe, you should go to Taos. And I would also consider SW Colorada around Durango for some spectacular scenery, hiking and ancient puebloan ruins at Mesa Verde National Park.
Carlsbad Caverns is a must see as far as I am concerned. As it is in southern NM, you could do that after ABQ, SF.
Carlsbad Caverns is a must see as far as I am concerned. As it is in southern NM, you could do that after ABQ, SF.
Jun 1st, 2016, 07:02 AM
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Jun 1st, 2016, 07:35 AM
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Take the Amtrak Coast Starlight from LA to Portland. Get a ride out to get on the Pacific Crest Trail. How far you hike south is up to you.
The PCT starts at the Mexican border near San Diego and extends to the Canadian border.
If you didn't want to go all the way to Portland, you can take the train to Chemult OR and the little bus will take you to Bend which also has access to the PCT.
The PCT starts at the Mexican border near San Diego and extends to the Canadian border.
If you didn't want to go all the way to Portland, you can take the train to Chemult OR and the little bus will take you to Bend which also has access to the PCT.
Jun 1st, 2016, 08:41 AM
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I think hiking/backpacking in Oregon would be a little questionable in late Oct. higher elevations could be getting snow, lower elevations could be rainy- there are a lot of beautiful places here though but think you need to come a little earlier.
Jun 1st, 2016, 11:45 AM
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I'd scratch Salt Lake City but definitely consider the Utah NPs! Santa Fe/Abq would be good for for your interests. Nashville and New Orleans definitely. You said you've been to Boston- have you been to Maine or Cape Cod? Anywhere in Canada? Although possibly not in October for those last three.
I'd definitely consider the southwest given the time of year.
I'd definitely consider the southwest given the time of year.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 03:57 AM
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Doug_Stallings, I'll be getting around largely by train/bus but can probably rent a car if I need to. Are these sorts of destinations easy to visit by bus/train?
Everyone else - thank you so much for your suggestions, I've noted them all down to look into and I really appreciate them.
I do enjoy hiking but it's not the only thing I'm hoping to do in my trip, so I'm also keen to visit any cities that are nice just for their own sake
Everyone else - thank you so much for your suggestions, I've noted them all down to look into and I really appreciate them.
I do enjoy hiking but it's not the only thing I'm hoping to do in my trip, so I'm also keen to visit any cities that are nice just for their own sake
Jun 2nd, 2016, 08:11 AM
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Trains in the US are quite limited, so it's rarely easy to do a full trip by train, but it's pretty cheap. Just unreliable in terms of timing because trains are often late and arrive and depart at odd hours. But you can get to or near almost all of these places by bus.
The problem will not be getting TO the places you want to see. If you have the time, you'll be able to reach virtually every small town in the US by bus (but not all ... my hometown no longer has bus service, for example).
The problem is getting around. Except the cities, most of these secondary destinations simply have no means of public transport. It's almost impossible to see things without a car, and you may have big problems renting a car if you are only 23. Many car rental companies in the US won't rent to you until you are 25.
I'd say you need to plan your route carefully and look at the options in each place. Most of the larger secondary cities have uber. Local buses, where they exist, are usually geared for commuters, not travelers, and won't get to the places you really want to go.
But a few cities are pretty user-friendly without a car. Nashville and New Orleans, for example. But many more are not, especially the more out of the way places you seem interested in.
The problem will not be getting TO the places you want to see. If you have the time, you'll be able to reach virtually every small town in the US by bus (but not all ... my hometown no longer has bus service, for example).
The problem is getting around. Except the cities, most of these secondary destinations simply have no means of public transport. It's almost impossible to see things without a car, and you may have big problems renting a car if you are only 23. Many car rental companies in the US won't rent to you until you are 25.
I'd say you need to plan your route carefully and look at the options in each place. Most of the larger secondary cities have uber. Local buses, where they exist, are usually geared for commuters, not travelers, and won't get to the places you really want to go.
But a few cities are pretty user-friendly without a car. Nashville and New Orleans, for example. But many more are not, especially the more out of the way places you seem interested in.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 08:51 AM
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In addition to Doug's comments on getting around without a car - even in some cities where you can feasibly get around without one, not having one will limit your lodging options and possibly cost you more money, so make sure and build that into your budget. For example, staying in downtown Nashville or in the historic district in Charleston (where most of the tourist attractions are concentrated) will cost you more than staying in a suburb. Something like Airbnb could be an option, but you'd have to plan carefully to find one you like on a convenient bus route, and/or account for plenty of Uber/cab rides to get you around town. And you'd be limited in terms of day trips (like the Jack Daniels distillery or a plantation visit in those two cities, for example).
Some places will be hard to get the most out of without a car. For example, if you go to Asheville, the city is certainly great on its own, but it's hard for me to imagine visiting that area without hiking in Pisgah National Forest or doing something outdoorsy. But you'd need a car to get to those places.
Some places will be hard to get the most out of without a car. For example, if you go to Asheville, the city is certainly great on its own, but it's hard for me to imagine visiting that area without hiking in Pisgah National Forest or doing something outdoorsy. But you'd need a car to get to those places.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 12:37 PM
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I like New Mexico and there is a train between Albuquerque and Santa Fe but as pointed out, it is getting around once in town that is a problem. For example, how would you get to some of the Indian pueblos, or Bandelier to hike? Can't imagine not driving the High Road to Taos.
You can rent a car from many companies but they will charge a young driver surcharge. Check out www.rentalcars.com and declare your nationality so all insurance is included. They charge a young driver fee but it is lower than many others.
You can rent a car from many companies but they will charge a young driver surcharge. Check out www.rentalcars.com and declare your nationality so all insurance is included. They charge a young driver fee but it is lower than many others.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 02:33 PM
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The train between Albuquerque and Santa Fe is really a commuter train and as such has fairly limited service on weekends and runs mostly during business hours. It would get you between the 2 cities, but you need to plan carefully.
http://www.nmrailrunner.com/
http://www.nmrailrunner.com/
Jun 2nd, 2016, 03:13 PM
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If you plan on using buses some of the time, check ino express or "mega" bus service that is available between some major cities
The buses don't stop much, if any, between destinations and are usually comfortable and have WiFi.
The buses don't stop much, if any, between destinations and are usually comfortable and have WiFi.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 06:37 PM
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I'm an oddity (in many ways but in this context) that I travel often by bus and train in the US. There are some places you can't get to, others that are a challenge with sometimes surprisingly minimal even bus service.
Portland, Seattle and New Orleans are the best 3 for public transit on your list & have a fun energy that 20-somethings tend to appreciate. A Pacific NW trip might work very well for your preferred transport mode-- including Vancouver and Victoria in Canada --possibly some of the Gulf Islands as well, although not inexpensive. Chicago's good if you want Midwest. Charleston and Savannah are great in that they're very compact...I've never been in October--I'd imagine that to be a good time to go. Travelling between Southern cities can be especially tricky as there's limited bus/train service (due to car culture)--Charleston to Savannah close as they are have surprisingly few easy options between the two.
I've visited Austin, Atlanta and Miami on this list as well-- do-able and enjoyable sticking to certain parts of these metropolises but some waiting for city buses was involved. Sometimes challenging to go further afield...
Since you're starting in LA and speak Spanish, have you considered Mexico? Mexico is terrific for the type of travel you propose!
Portland, Seattle and New Orleans are the best 3 for public transit on your list & have a fun energy that 20-somethings tend to appreciate. A Pacific NW trip might work very well for your preferred transport mode-- including Vancouver and Victoria in Canada --possibly some of the Gulf Islands as well, although not inexpensive. Chicago's good if you want Midwest. Charleston and Savannah are great in that they're very compact...I've never been in October--I'd imagine that to be a good time to go. Travelling between Southern cities can be especially tricky as there's limited bus/train service (due to car culture)--Charleston to Savannah close as they are have surprisingly few easy options between the two.
I've visited Austin, Atlanta and Miami on this list as well-- do-able and enjoyable sticking to certain parts of these metropolises but some waiting for city buses was involved. Sometimes challenging to go further afield...
Since you're starting in LA and speak Spanish, have you considered Mexico? Mexico is terrific for the type of travel you propose!
Jun 2nd, 2016, 11:30 PM
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Hey Daniel_Williams, thanks for your tips (and everyone else!). I am definitely planning on 2 weeks in Mexico before I head back home in January - should I try and do longer? I was also considering Panama or Puerto Rico. And I have already been to Vancouver/Victoria Island. They're absolutely gorgeous but I do want to try see some new places.
From what I gather, hiring a car may be possible if it's for like a day (granted I'd have to pay a surcharge) since I have a license here. Would that help me with getting to places around Asheville or ABQ?
Also, I think I'm going to cut out Mississippi, I'm sure SC will give me enough of a fix for the South. Does anyone have any comments on Utah or Arizona (specifically, the places I mentioned)?
And for all the places that people have suggested, how long should I look to spend in each?
From what I gather, hiring a car may be possible if it's for like a day (granted I'd have to pay a surcharge) since I have a license here. Would that help me with getting to places around Asheville or ABQ?
Also, I think I'm going to cut out Mississippi, I'm sure SC will give me enough of a fix for the South. Does anyone have any comments on Utah or Arizona (specifically, the places I mentioned)?
And for all the places that people have suggested, how long should I look to spend in each?
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