Halloween might be best experienced in Las Vegas. New Orleans might second most interesting.

New York has the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on Thanksgiving morning. As a result, NY hotels are booked well in advance and expensive. If you plan to do, make your reservation early. Thanksgiving is also a very busy weekend in Las Vegas.

I am sure you are aware you are talking vast distances and you will be flying between most of your destinations.

You can drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon (400 miles). You can drive or take a train from DC to NYC. Rental cars here become very expensive on one way rentals.

All of your cities listed are serviced by Southwest Airlines, one of our affordable airlines. Consider booking your international flights with one airline and then Southwest for your U.S. travel.

Some good advice from stumpworks.

I would fly to Las Vegas for Halloween, then rent a car and go to Grand Canyon with a stop at Hoover Dam either on the way or back to Vegas. You might also consider going to some of the other beautiful places in the area. It will probably be warm/comfortable in Vegas, cooler at Grand Canyon. I would suggest maybe 2 or 3 nights in Vegas to adjust to jet lag and experience Halloweeen, then a night or two at Grand Canyon and if you decide to visit some other places in the general area like Sedona or Zion another night or two. Probably a night back in Vegas before you fly to your next destination.

From Vegas, explore costs of flying lodging etc. to either New Orleans or Washington DC. In DC you would not need to rent a car as the metro is fine and parking/driving there is expensive and not fun. Probably 4 or 5 days in either location including the travel day.

Then look at your options for travel between the cities and if you want to do both NO and DC.
In any case if you decide on both do NO then DC. If you decide to drive, add the cost of gas, lodging and drop off fee when you compare car to flight or train.

DC to New York, either train or flight, don't do car as you don't need or want a car in either city.

Thanksgiving is early this year, November 22, so you could do your trip in 4 weeks, but be aware that you do not want to be travelling in the day or two before Thanksgiving or the weekend after as that is one of the busiest times for travel in the US.

Have a great trip.

Just curious - What makes Halloween in Vegas better than the Halloween parade in NYC?

Great advice by emalloy. And SueNYC: I think the advice was about which place would be easier to find accommodations.

I would also second heading to Vegas for your "intro" - and seeing some shows, etc. Red Rock Canyon - 20 minutes outside the strip - is a great way to first experience the stark beauty of the SW - and then take in the Grand Canyon - and if you have time - Sedona is a fun place to hang out.

Zion is also worth a visit if you can work it into your schedule, but the GC is King - and you can either drive there or take a one day bus tour - or even fly from Vegas over it and back.

If you really want to get to New Orleans, so be it - but I think spending time around DC and NY would be better suited for this trip.

Hey - putting in a plug for SD. You might consider starting here - as in October - it's still great weather - and you could enjoy going to the beach - if not even taking a plunge.

You could rent a car here and drive to Vegas in 5 hours - or fly over in an hour on such economy airlines as Southwest, and rent a car there.

C'mon, Sue. You know the answer to that: Vegas has the fake "Empire State Building," the fake "Statue of Liberty," etc. It's "just like" New York.

Vegas is just Disney for adults - with New Yorkland, Paris;and, Romeland etc. IMHO just a gigantic waste of time and money.

Hi Everybody, Thanks so much for your responses, you have definately given me plenty to think about

I wonder if anyone can recommend tour companies that cater for this age group that are not "Contiki style".

New Orleans would be my choice for Halloween, hands down

And independent travel would be my choice rather than a tour, even if tours are available. Independent travel is very easy and you have flexibility.

My thoughts on a possible route: Fly to NYC spend 1 or 2 nights and make a list of the things you missed that you want to see when you come back. Take Amtrak train from NYP to Washington DC (WAS). Spend a night or 2 in Washington or nearby Virginia.
Take the Amtrak Crescent from Washington DC to New Orleans. If you wanted a break in this trip spend a night in Atlanta and get on the next Crescent.
You should find cheaper lodging in New Orleans than New York. I have been in a variety of cities on Halloween but never NO.
October 31 is on a Wednesday this year. Do not forget that our Presidential campaign will be in full swing at this time.
Election day is November 6.
From New Orleans You should fly to either Las Vegas or Phoenix and rent a car to go to the Grand Canyon. I am hoping that you get to the Grand Canyon before the first snowstorm of the year.
If you still have time and the weather holds out, fly Phoenix or Las Vegas to Oakland/San Jose or Fresno and rent a car to see Yosemite. Fly back to NYC from California to see what you may have missed there.
Independent travel has always been my style. I hate being rushed to the bus on a tour when I want to see more where we stopped especially when the next stop is not as interesting as the last stop.

I can;t imagine there is a tour that does anything close to that. And certainly not a tour for younger people - the ones there are usually cater to a much more mature group.

Really reco you plan the trip yourself using a combo of fly and drive except for NYC to DC - for which train will work.

BUT, you are trying to do a lot even for 4 weeks, Not sure where you are from, but the US is large - and by Nov mountain and northern areas will be chilly to snowy.

I just re-read your post. I see that it is NEXT year (2013) you are planning on this trip. Work out your plan and start a new thread next June/July with some new questions. Forget what I said about the election. Oct. 31 will be on a Thursday next year. I still think that the Amtrak Crescent is a deal at $280 for 2 seats from Washington to New Orleans. I doubt that you can get airfare for 2 from WAS to NOL for that price.
Try to avoid the very expensive hotel rooms in whatever city you decide on.