Seemz14

Hi
We are a family of three - husband, wife and a teenage daughter. Its our first trip to America. Could some one help me plan the itinerary so that we are able to cover most of the attractions. We plan to spend around 4 weeks there. My personal desire is also to visit Niagara falls.. however not so sure if its the right time to visit during Nov/Dec

Dukey1

"most of" WHICH attractions?

Assume you know what the weather will be like in most parts of the US at that time of year.

Seemz14

Yes ... worried about the weather constraints, especially looking at the last years winter in US. Mainly would like to visit LA, San Francisco, Washington DC, New York, Florida??

millie2112

your question is really broad, so you will have to do some research yourself. go to a travel agent & get some advice.

I would go. australia to La>SF>NYC>WDC>Florida>La then home

Melnq8

Hi Seemz14 -

You're doing exactly what Aussies harangue American visitors to Australia over - trying to fit too much of a very large country into too little time.

I'm sure you realize that the US is similar in size to AUS...but the middle is filled in.

Distance-wise your initial plan is similar to visiting Far North Queensland, Tasmania, Broome, WA and Albany, WA. That's a lot of territory to cover, and if that's how you like to travel so be it, but don't underestimate the travel/transit time and the US domestic airport hassles.

Sassafrass

Weather can be so unpredictable then, even too cold to swim in Florida some times. Places like Niagara Falls can be beautiful in snow and ice, but it makes planning to visit them harder.

What do you want to do in Florida?
Do you plan to fly into one city and home from another?
Do you plan to rent a car for most of the time or mostly fly from point to point?

If you were my guests coming here, I would suggest you visit:
1. Williamsburg, Virginia. It is lovely, historic and beautifully decorated for Christmas with good food. There will be concerts and other performances near the holidays. It is a really special place.
2. Washington DC, including Mount Vernon, some of the Smithsonian museums, Ford's Theater for a show, etc.
3. NYC, of course.
There are many beautiful places in the South (Charleston, Savannah) that you could stop on your way to Florida, but they are at their best in Spring.

In Florida, St Augustine is interesting, but it will be warmer on the southern Gulf Coast.

Seemz14

Thanks Melnq8 and Millie2112 for you replies.. since the process of planning the trip has just started, I was really getting confused as there is a lot I want to cover during my US holidays... I shall visit the travel agent soon..

Seemz14

Thanks sassafrass!! your suggestions sound great!!

vincenzo32951

>>Could some one help me plan the itinerary so that we are able to cover most of the attractions.

nytraveler

You cannot see most of the sight sin the US in 4 weeks - you might get a start in 4 months. You cannot even begin to see most of the sights in the 5 places you named in 4 weeks.

And that gives you time at all to see any great outdoors - some of which can be done in very late fall - although certainly not all.

First, forget Niagara Falls. It's in the snow belt and it's perfectly possible it will be snowed in the for the year by then. Even if not many of the attractions will be closed (many close in earl Oct and don't open again until into April.

Also, your chances of bad weather in NYC are not huge (it will be cold and there will be rain and sleet but that is kind of early for snow for us - but perfectly possible) so you will need a winter wardrobe (heavy coat, hat, scarf gloves and probably boots - cold weather not fashion)

And finally you will be traveling at one of the busiest and most expensive times of year so definitely open up your wallets. Typically the Thanksgiving holiday (4th Thurs in Nov) is one of the busiest travel times since so many college kids - and other younger people - head back to family for the long holiday weekend, Flights are typically booked solid as soon as university students gt class schedules (from late August on) and tickets will be scarce and very expensive.

Also that is definitely high season in NYC for accommodations and if you are coming I suggest you search now for advance purchase deals - as you get closer prices typically only rise.

Also holiday times are super busy at the Orlando resorts if that's something you have in mind (some days the parks start refusing admittance due to too many guests).

Dukey1

Actually you can see many of what most people might consider the "main" sights in the US in a month but to do so you would have to consider flying from place to place and probably renting a car in each one.

Like Australia, there are a lot of people who think the middle of the USA isn't "filled in" at all and that is why it is called "flyover country."

You have yet to say what sorts of attractions appeal to you the most (other than Niagara Falls).

And as to some of those "airport hassles" mentioned above, there are some ways they can often be avoided or at least minimized.

Orlando_Vic

"Also holiday times are super busy at the Orlando resorts if that's something you have in mind (some days the parks start refusing admittance due to too many guests)."

That only happens during the week between Christmas and New Years. Any other time in December is O.K. Thanksgiving weekend (4th Thursday in November) is also busy too.

I also agree with the idea of seeing Colonial Williamsburg, Charleston, Savannah and St. Augustine.

_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Hobbert

Here's my idea for the east coast. Fly into JFK or somewhere in that area, experience NYC, drive south and spend a few days in Philly (wonderful historical sights and great food), travel south to Gettysburg, PA (lots of Civil War battlefields), head to DC, go south and consider a stop in the Outer Banks. Swimming is out due to cold, but I love the beach in the winter time. Keep going until you reach Savannah, GA and spend a few days there. Lovely architecture. Keep driving south to St. Augustine, FL and see Castillo de San Marcos. Keep going south (stop at Disney World if that's up your alley), and hang out in Miami, FL. Visit Vizcaya and Zoo Miami and people watch on South Beach. Eat Cuban food! Continue south to Key West and just chill out. For me, this would take about 20 days.

nytraveler

I agree that the above is a great plan - but think it would take the entire month if you want to see more than a couple of highlights in each place.

nelsonian

Here's what we did Seemz 14. We are from New Zealand and have done a similar trip twice now. If you were able to move you dates by a month ie go from I November to end of November, you will have better weather. We still had snow in New York city but wasn't too bad.

Our firs trip was only 3 weeks and we went early April. We flew in to San Francisco spent four days there, then flew to Baltimore (had friends there) but from there we spent several days in Washington DC, then too the train to New York City stayed there three and a half days. Flew back to Los Angeles and spend the remaining days there. We actually flew back to Orange County, John Wayne airport and visited Disneyland, took a bus trip to San Diego, and went to Universal City.

Our second trip in November 2012 we again flew to San Francisco, spent three and a half days there. Flew to New Orleans, spent 4 days there, flew to New York city and spent most of our remaining time there, but also did a trip to Cape Cod, and Boston from there. We flew back to Los Angeles but didn't spend any more time there.

Just some ideas for you.

october_fun

Read the individual states in this US forum. It will give you the info on the states you want to visit. I read reviews, trip reports and advice on travel sites and found out more than I could have gotten from a local travel agent. You will find heaps of information on accommodation that you wouldn't find in tour company glossy brochures etc. Information from locals and seasoned travellers helps so much with your planning.

We spent a week in NYC and could have easily spent another week there. Don't short change yourself with the time spent there. It is an amazing city and in a week we only scratched the surface.

Good luck.

Seemz14

Thanks all for your excellent suggestions and ideas....really appreciate it.

emalloy

If you click on nelsonian and then scroll down to the trip reports you will find a lot of information in the TRs about a trip similar to the one you are planning. It might help with logistics.

Also when you plan your schedule, don't forget that the trip to an area can eat up a whole day and if weather gets bad, can eat up several days in December.