New York - yes - but where else?
Feb 18th, 2007, 01:14 AM
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New York - yes - but where else?
My wife and I are 60+ and are now enjoying the overseas travel delayed while our kids grew up. Our preferred accommodation is the self-catering apartment, which gives us a chance to relax when tired and also to get a sense of the local community in which we are staying - 2 weeks in Paris, 2 weeks in Rome, 1 week in Venice, one week in Troutbeck Bridge in the Lake District (UK - with car), 11 days in Edinburgh are examples of what we've done. We love walking, drinking beer and coffee, visiting museums and art galleries, old houses, music, beautiful countryside.
Next year I have what Australians like us call Long Service Leave - 3 months of it - from August 15 to November 15. We are travelling to the USA and have decided on three stays of one month in each of three locations. New York City (Oct 15 to Nov 15) selects itself. I ask Fodorites: what 2 towns and/or cities would they recommend that we stay from Aug 15 to Sept 15, and Sept 15 to Oct 15? We have lots of other places around the world to visit while our health stays good, so this may well be our only trip to the US. Any thoughts would be gratefully received!
Next year I have what Australians like us call Long Service Leave - 3 months of it - from August 15 to November 15. We are travelling to the USA and have decided on three stays of one month in each of three locations. New York City (Oct 15 to Nov 15) selects itself. I ask Fodorites: what 2 towns and/or cities would they recommend that we stay from Aug 15 to Sept 15, and Sept 15 to Oct 15? We have lots of other places around the world to visit while our health stays good, so this may well be our only trip to the US. Any thoughts would be gratefully received!
Feb 18th, 2007, 03:51 AM
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Actually, other than NYC I don't know of any other place I would want to spend a full month...IMHO you should consider shorter periods of time. You could then do two weeks in San Franciso, Chicago, D.C. etc. Also, if you probably won't be back to the US, you should try to fit in some of our wonderful western National Parks...just my humble suggestions!
Feb 18th, 2007, 04:03 AM
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What a great opportunity for you! The U.S. offers such diverse areas from which to choose!
It's unfortunate that your choice for NYC is Oct 15-Nov 15, as that time frame would be far better suited for portions of the U.S. which suffer from much more intense heat during the summer months.
However, if you are staying in NYC for the chosen month (which wouldn't be my recommendation, by the way - I'd be staying there for much less time), I suggest taking a couple of side trips to the Boston - and, especially, a not-so-secondary side tour of Vermont and NH as well - and Washington, DC areas.
Sept 15 - Oct 15: During this leg, you would need to travel instead of staying stationary - but what traveling! My suggestion: fly into Phoenix and explore the southwest - AZ, Utah and NM. I wouldn't stay in Phoenix, but go directly to the Grand Canyon for a few days. In case you have any interest: Sedona, AZ usually has their Jazz on the Rocks festival towards the end of September (don't see anything posted on it yet) and there is the Albuquerque, NM, Hotair Balloon Festival in early October. There are many posts on Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Four Corners, etc. here with much detailed information, so you can see what might interest you.
And for the first leg of the trip, I'd either be going to California or the Pacific Northwest - perhaps even both.
And, if I may make another suggestion...maybe you could fit in Chicago for a week or even a couple of days between traveling from west to east coasts. If you were here for a week, you could take a little time to explore further into the Midwest--perhaps taking a trip up into Wisconsin (Door County) or Michigan (Harbor Country and/or up to Saugatuck/Douglas).
If I had your opportunity, my itinerary would run something like this:
August 15 - Sept 15: California and/or the Pacific northwest
Sept 16 - Sept 22: Chicago (and perhaps more of the Midwest)
Sept 23 - Oct 15: NYC - including side trips to Boston (and New England states for leaf-peeping) and Washington DC
Oct 15-Nov 15: American Southwest (Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, etc.)
Hope these suggestions might have helped a bit.
It's unfortunate that your choice for NYC is Oct 15-Nov 15, as that time frame would be far better suited for portions of the U.S. which suffer from much more intense heat during the summer months.
However, if you are staying in NYC for the chosen month (which wouldn't be my recommendation, by the way - I'd be staying there for much less time), I suggest taking a couple of side trips to the Boston - and, especially, a not-so-secondary side tour of Vermont and NH as well - and Washington, DC areas.
Sept 15 - Oct 15: During this leg, you would need to travel instead of staying stationary - but what traveling! My suggestion: fly into Phoenix and explore the southwest - AZ, Utah and NM. I wouldn't stay in Phoenix, but go directly to the Grand Canyon for a few days. In case you have any interest: Sedona, AZ usually has their Jazz on the Rocks festival towards the end of September (don't see anything posted on it yet) and there is the Albuquerque, NM, Hotair Balloon Festival in early October. There are many posts on Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Four Corners, etc. here with much detailed information, so you can see what might interest you.
And for the first leg of the trip, I'd either be going to California or the Pacific Northwest - perhaps even both.
And, if I may make another suggestion...maybe you could fit in Chicago for a week or even a couple of days between traveling from west to east coasts. If you were here for a week, you could take a little time to explore further into the Midwest--perhaps taking a trip up into Wisconsin (Door County) or Michigan (Harbor Country and/or up to Saugatuck/Douglas).
If I had your opportunity, my itinerary would run something like this:
August 15 - Sept 15: California and/or the Pacific northwest
Sept 16 - Sept 22: Chicago (and perhaps more of the Midwest)
Sept 23 - Oct 15: NYC - including side trips to Boston (and New England states for leaf-peeping) and Washington DC
Oct 15-Nov 15: American Southwest (Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, etc.)
Hope these suggestions might have helped a bit.
Feb 18th, 2007, 04:07 AM
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I agree with Susie QQ and would go even further, I'm not sure, if you've never been to the States, that I would spend a month in NYC. There's certainly plenty to keep you busy and day trips are possible, but it's a huge country and there are many more places to see, not all of which would warrant a stay of a month or even a week. Unless your plans for a rental in NYC are already arranged, I'd also suggest the NYC part for Sept to Oct. when weather will still be mild.
I'd spend the Oct-Nov. month on the west coast visiting San Diego, LA, San Francisco and points inbetween with perhaps a visit to the northwest.
I'd spend the Oct-Nov. month on the west coast visiting San Diego, LA, San Francisco and points inbetween with perhaps a visit to the northwest.
Feb 18th, 2007, 05:09 AM
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Maybe a month in California (stay a week in San Francisco, a week in San Diego and 2 weeks visiting the National Parks in the state.
A month in the New England to include 2 weeks in New York, a week in Boston and a week of leaf peeping around Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
I'd have to spend the last month in Hawaii!
A month in the New England to include 2 weeks in New York, a week in Boston and a week of leaf peeping around Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
I'd have to spend the last month in Hawaii!
Feb 18th, 2007, 05:17 AM
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Sounds like a magnificent opportunity. I was thinking if I were to have the type of long vacation where you stay a month in a place, I would want some sort of structured activity like volunteering, language courses, maybe cooking courses to give me opportunities to meet people in a social setting.
...I thought immediately of New Orleans (for Sept 15- Oct 15) where I just visited. Several handfuls of people at the guest house I stayed were there to volunteer, to help rebuild parishes hard-hit by Katrina. A beautiful culture of volunteerism seems to have emerged there; in this sometimes dog-eat-dog world, I felt almost emotional observing this. Also, a cooking course New Orleans-style might be enjoyable, considering all the great food to be found in that city.
New Orleans is a great place for all you mention (beer, coffee, old houses, music). Only downside I can think is that it might still be muggy Sept. 15- Oct. 15 (perhaps some lovely days though) and hurricane season is still on then.
Some other ideas might be north or south of the border; Montreal or Quebec City perhaps combined with French or cooking courses. Or maybe somewhere like San Miguel de Allende combined with Spanish or cooking courses?
Have fun deciding; what a fantastic opportunity! (Tad jealous here
)
DAN
DAN
...I thought immediately of New Orleans (for Sept 15- Oct 15) where I just visited. Several handfuls of people at the guest house I stayed were there to volunteer, to help rebuild parishes hard-hit by Katrina. A beautiful culture of volunteerism seems to have emerged there; in this sometimes dog-eat-dog world, I felt almost emotional observing this. Also, a cooking course New Orleans-style might be enjoyable, considering all the great food to be found in that city.
New Orleans is a great place for all you mention (beer, coffee, old houses, music). Only downside I can think is that it might still be muggy Sept. 15- Oct. 15 (perhaps some lovely days though) and hurricane season is still on then.
Some other ideas might be north or south of the border; Montreal or Quebec City perhaps combined with French or cooking courses. Or maybe somewhere like San Miguel de Allende combined with Spanish or cooking courses?
Have fun deciding; what a fantastic opportunity! (Tad jealous here
)DAN
DAN
Feb 18th, 2007, 05:22 AM
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hi tassietiger. wow - you are very fortunate to get a 3 month vacation. the US is so large, it is hard to narrow it down to 3 spots. you are going to get loads of suggestions; but here's my thought - really just an overview to start you off.
i'd fly into seattle (home of starbucks coffee)- 8.15 to 9.15 - unique city set between high mountains and the ocean. or san francisco would be a nice west coast alternative. sophisticated, museums, the bridge, etc., lots to do/see!
next leg would be denver or chicago from 9.15 to 10.15. denver is on the edge of the rocky mountains, which are beautiful and would be perfect for 9.15 to 10.15. the mtns are quiet then (school has started and skiing has not) and you could spend a few days in vail and/or aspen - both within a few hours of denver. great hiking, coors beer. you would be there during the leaf color change of the aspen trees. the mtns are spectacular on a bright sunny day with the yellow leaves shimmering... not much on museums, except the denver art museum which is pretty good, but not much compared with paris or rome.
chicago has great shopping and music. a very happening town.
while you're in nyc i strongly suggest you take out a few days each for boston, philadelphia and washington dc. all 3 are easily reachable by train from nyc. all 4 of these cities are unique. dc with all the govt things - capitol buildings, white house, lincoln memorial, etc. philadelphia has a very nice art museum (you saw it in rocky movie) and a natural history museum, the liberty bell, independence hall, etc. boston has loads of history as well. nyc speaks for itself. you could stay/do things there for a year.
you should consider a drive to vermont/new hampshire/maine from boston, as when you arrive on the east coast it will be time for that color change. would you enjoy a fresh lobster on the coast of maine?
in addition there are a few american icons you should consider. yellowstone national park in wyoming. the grand canyon in arizona. niagra falls in upstate ny. mt. rushmore in south dakato.
las vegas and new orleans are totally unique - so worth consideration on just that basis.
for self-catering apts. in all above look at www.vrbo.com - an owner listed house/apt rental agency. known to be reliable.
you can get much more detailed info from fodor folks as you narrow down your choices. have fun planning.
i'd fly into seattle (home of starbucks coffee)- 8.15 to 9.15 - unique city set between high mountains and the ocean. or san francisco would be a nice west coast alternative. sophisticated, museums, the bridge, etc., lots to do/see!
next leg would be denver or chicago from 9.15 to 10.15. denver is on the edge of the rocky mountains, which are beautiful and would be perfect for 9.15 to 10.15. the mtns are quiet then (school has started and skiing has not) and you could spend a few days in vail and/or aspen - both within a few hours of denver. great hiking, coors beer. you would be there during the leaf color change of the aspen trees. the mtns are spectacular on a bright sunny day with the yellow leaves shimmering... not much on museums, except the denver art museum which is pretty good, but not much compared with paris or rome.
chicago has great shopping and music. a very happening town.
while you're in nyc i strongly suggest you take out a few days each for boston, philadelphia and washington dc. all 3 are easily reachable by train from nyc. all 4 of these cities are unique. dc with all the govt things - capitol buildings, white house, lincoln memorial, etc. philadelphia has a very nice art museum (you saw it in rocky movie) and a natural history museum, the liberty bell, independence hall, etc. boston has loads of history as well. nyc speaks for itself. you could stay/do things there for a year.
you should consider a drive to vermont/new hampshire/maine from boston, as when you arrive on the east coast it will be time for that color change. would you enjoy a fresh lobster on the coast of maine?
in addition there are a few american icons you should consider. yellowstone national park in wyoming. the grand canyon in arizona. niagra falls in upstate ny. mt. rushmore in south dakato.
las vegas and new orleans are totally unique - so worth consideration on just that basis.
for self-catering apts. in all above look at www.vrbo.com - an owner listed house/apt rental agency. known to be reliable.
you can get much more detailed info from fodor folks as you narrow down your choices. have fun planning.
Feb 18th, 2007, 10:08 AM
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Not sure what other places to stay a month. I think I would tend to do more places and do perhaps 2 weeks each. (You're not going to get prices for a month instead of 2 weeks - so that shouldn't be an issue.)
Separately - I wouldn't do New York last - but earlier in the year when the weather would be better (Sept/Oct for preference). Nov can start getting quite cold and there are no leaves/flowers left.
As for a list of places to do a couple of weeks each I would include:
Boston (cradle of American Democracy, lots of historic sites and museums)
Washington DC (incredible number of sites, memorials, museums - many of them free)
San Diego
San Francisco
Someplace in FL - other than Orlando (and do this last to avoid the heat)
Perhaps someplace in the SE like Savannah or Charleston
Yosemite or Yellowstone - definitely one of the major national parks
Separately - I wouldn't do New York last - but earlier in the year when the weather would be better (Sept/Oct for preference). Nov can start getting quite cold and there are no leaves/flowers left.
As for a list of places to do a couple of weeks each I would include:
Boston (cradle of American Democracy, lots of historic sites and museums)
Washington DC (incredible number of sites, memorials, museums - many of them free)
San Diego
San Francisco
Someplace in FL - other than Orlando (and do this last to avoid the heat)
Perhaps someplace in the SE like Savannah or Charleston
Yosemite or Yellowstone - definitely one of the major national parks
Feb 18th, 2007, 11:28 AM
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nyc is great and a month will give you plenty of time to see the sights you could do a weekend up to boston via train while you are there...
You might want to consider staying in las vegas, nevada or st. george utah for a base of operations to see the south west.
you could easily also spend a month in san diego ca or further north and stay in seattle for a month both very different and tons' o things you can see.
you may want to check out vrbo.com
and get great places to stay at good prices. being in one place for a month, you'd want more than just a hotel room or suite. another suggestion is denver, co. if you are really city folks, NYC, CHICAGO, San FRANcisco. enjoy
You might want to consider staying in las vegas, nevada or st. george utah for a base of operations to see the south west.
you could easily also spend a month in san diego ca or further north and stay in seattle for a month both very different and tons' o things you can see.
you may want to check out vrbo.com
and get great places to stay at good prices. being in one place for a month, you'd want more than just a hotel room or suite. another suggestion is denver, co. if you are really city folks, NYC, CHICAGO, San FRANcisco. enjoy
Feb 19th, 2007, 03:10 AM
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Thanks a million to those who have replied to my appeal! There is so much to think about - I can certainly see the benefit of having shorter stays in more places, or of using NYC as a base for visits to Boston or Washington. The reference to Denver accords with the enjoyment an Aust friend has had in the city and the surrounding area, and has caught my attention! The suggestion made by several of visiting NYC earlier when it was not so cold has been taken on board! And so have the ideas about leaf-peeping that reminded me of how much I enjoyed the setting of 'The Trouble with Harry'! And the suggestion of checking out vrbo.com for accommodation is also appreciated - can anyone recommend any other accommodation site? Overall, then, a very helpful set of replies - many thanks. I'll certainly be checking out different state sites on Fodor when we reach the point of making hard decisions. We've got some fun ahead!!
Feb 19th, 2007, 05:28 AM
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tassietiger, you are really going to have some problems finding an apartment with availability in NYC from October 15-November 15th because that is the most expensive and busiest time of year.
I really urge you to consider spending the time from August 15-September 15th in NYC. You'll have much better availability accomodation wise and find much better rates; problably half the price.
I really urge you to consider spending the time from August 15-September 15th in NYC. You'll have much better availability accomodation wise and find much better rates; problably half the price.
Feb 19th, 2007, 09:49 AM
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I think either Aug-Sept or Sept-Oct in NYC is a good idea. True that Aug-Sept will be cheapest if you're staying in a hotel. But for an apt., I'm not sure there's that big a price difference.
Would help to know what kind of budget you're talking about for accomodation and whether you're still thinking about a month in each place. There are LOTS of vacation rental agents for NYC including nyhabitat.com citylightsnewyork.com furnishedquarters.com to name a few. Unfortunately when you're looking for a month rental, they start to want astronomical fees on top of the rental.
In addition to vrbo, cyberrentals.com and http://www.greatrentals.com/ny/ny.html
are other options. If you're still thinking of a month in NYC, you might consider 2 wks. in one neighborhood and 2 wks. in another.
Would help to know what kind of budget you're talking about for accomodation and whether you're still thinking about a month in each place. There are LOTS of vacation rental agents for NYC including nyhabitat.com citylightsnewyork.com furnishedquarters.com to name a few. Unfortunately when you're looking for a month rental, they start to want astronomical fees on top of the rental.
In addition to vrbo, cyberrentals.com and http://www.greatrentals.com/ny/ny.html
are other options. If you're still thinking of a month in NYC, you might consider 2 wks. in one neighborhood and 2 wks. in another.
