5 week America trip February 2017
Dec 10th, 2015, 10:31 PM
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5 week America trip February 2017
Hi,
My Husband and I are planning a 5 week whirlwind trip of the USA in February 2017 however have absolutely no idea where to begin!
After reading other posts some useful information for those that can help us - I'll be 31, hubby 28 from Australia and we love music (blues, country, soul, jazz), food, wine, history, nature - we are into it all! We both drive so are happy to hire cars (if this is most viable option) and cannot budge on February/March timeline. Looking at a budget of under $30K including flights.
At this stage we would like to do:
New Orleans Mardi Gras
Colorado (couple of days to a week, I have a friend there)
I've found a great looking self drive tour that takes you from Nashville to New Orleans via a great selection of clubs, museums etc through Memphis, Jackson, Nutbush, Clarksdale, Greenwood etc over 14 days
Las Vegas
But then we are stuck! Do we head to New York, down to Florida, up North West - Montana, Wyoming both look incredible. Where are the best places for wine tours (ie Napa Valley is in all the google searches but is there somewhere better?) We'd love to try as many local foods as we can, food festivals, food trucks whatever!
Any suggestions you could possibly give us would be fantastic. This is our last big trip before we start to plan a family so would love to squeeze as much as possible in, however we don't want to skim over things so are happy to focus on certain areas to truly experience them.
Thanks everyone!
My Husband and I are planning a 5 week whirlwind trip of the USA in February 2017 however have absolutely no idea where to begin!
After reading other posts some useful information for those that can help us - I'll be 31, hubby 28 from Australia and we love music (blues, country, soul, jazz), food, wine, history, nature - we are into it all! We both drive so are happy to hire cars (if this is most viable option) and cannot budge on February/March timeline. Looking at a budget of under $30K including flights.
At this stage we would like to do:
New Orleans Mardi Gras
Colorado (couple of days to a week, I have a friend there)
I've found a great looking self drive tour that takes you from Nashville to New Orleans via a great selection of clubs, museums etc through Memphis, Jackson, Nutbush, Clarksdale, Greenwood etc over 14 days
Las Vegas
But then we are stuck! Do we head to New York, down to Florida, up North West - Montana, Wyoming both look incredible. Where are the best places for wine tours (ie Napa Valley is in all the google searches but is there somewhere better?) We'd love to try as many local foods as we can, food festivals, food trucks whatever!
Any suggestions you could possibly give us would be fantastic. This is our last big trip before we start to plan a family so would love to squeeze as much as possible in, however we don't want to skim over things so are happy to focus on certain areas to truly experience them.
Thanks everyone!
Dec 11th, 2015, 04:14 AM
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First, you need to be aware that Feb is still winter and in many places (CO, Mo, WY) you are likely to have very cold temps and substantial snow. And any scenery will be winter snows, not summer meadows. And even in more southern areas (not NO but many places near any mountains or away from the gulf) you can still get ice or sleet storms. So when putting together your itinerary you need to allow some extra time for weather delays (airports may close for a day or so and even major highways can be snowed in for 24 hours).
As for visiting the Northeast, although massive amounts of snow are not common they are possible and cold is likely (last year Feb in NYC was a record low, with 22 degrees - F not C - the average high). So far this year the fall has been weirdly warm - it will be almost 60 degrees today when it should be a high in the mid 40s.
So you will definitely need to bring a winter wardrobe if you head to any of these places.
You could keep to more moderate temps if you stick to CA and the more southern parts of the county - but I can't imagine coming to the US and not visiting at least NYC and DC.
You will need to use a combo of car and plane to reach many of the places that you want - and if renting a car in colder areas be sure it has been winterized - so you are prepared if you get snow (snow shovel, windshield scraper, long-handled brush for top and hood of car, extra water, food and blankets).
If you do decide to do NYC and DC you should fly into one, take Amtrak to the other and then fly onto your next destination - a car is a nonsense in either area.
As for visiting the Northeast, although massive amounts of snow are not common they are possible and cold is likely (last year Feb in NYC was a record low, with 22 degrees - F not C - the average high). So far this year the fall has been weirdly warm - it will be almost 60 degrees today when it should be a high in the mid 40s.
So you will definitely need to bring a winter wardrobe if you head to any of these places.
You could keep to more moderate temps if you stick to CA and the more southern parts of the county - but I can't imagine coming to the US and not visiting at least NYC and DC.
You will need to use a combo of car and plane to reach many of the places that you want - and if renting a car in colder areas be sure it has been winterized - so you are prepared if you get snow (snow shovel, windshield scraper, long-handled brush for top and hood of car, extra water, food and blankets).
If you do decide to do NYC and DC you should fly into one, take Amtrak to the other and then fly onto your next destination - a car is a nonsense in either area.
Dec 11th, 2015, 05:12 AM
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Thanks Nytraveler, great tips.
Unfortunately this is the only time of year that we can travel so understand the risks of being snowed in. Lucky for us we both prefer the colder weather so it shouldn't be too much of an issue (fingers crossed)
Will definately heed your advice about ensuring the car is winterized!
Unfortunately this is the only time of year that we can travel so understand the risks of being snowed in. Lucky for us we both prefer the colder weather so it shouldn't be too much of an issue (fingers crossed)
Will definately heed your advice about ensuring the car is winterized!
Dec 11th, 2015, 06:00 AM
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Thanks wherearewe - will definately take your advice on the separate thread, it's through a company so it would be good to see if the costs/places stack up.
And thanks for the heads up re Montana, Wyomihg, exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for ��
And thanks for the heads up re Montana, Wyomihg, exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for ��
Dec 11th, 2015, 06:15 AM
#6
February is 4 weeks. Would you rather have the extra week the last week of January or the first week of March?
My idea would be to fly to New York first. Transport around the city is best by subway.
Leaving New York, take an Amtrak NE Regional train to Washington DC. Be aware that we will have a new President as of January 20 2017.
Leaving Washington, take the Amtrak Crescent as far as Atlanta Georgia. It is an overnight train arriving sometime after 8AM (sometimes late). Rent your car there and either go to Florida or to New Orleans.
Turn in your car when you reach New Orleans.
Depending on your timeline and the weather, either fly from New Orleans to Denver or take the Amtrak "City of New Orleans" north to Chicago (overnight train).
If you do choose to go on the train to Chicago, You will have a few hours to a day to enjoy the city before flying to Denver or taking the California Zephyr to Denver.
Can your Colorado friend pick you up either at the airport or at the train station?
Fly from Denver to Las Vegas and rent a car there to see Nevada, Arizona and southern California. Return the car in Las Vegas and then fly home. If there are no flights from Las Vegas, there are several short flights to Los Angeles.
My idea would be to fly to New York first. Transport around the city is best by subway.
Leaving New York, take an Amtrak NE Regional train to Washington DC. Be aware that we will have a new President as of January 20 2017.
Leaving Washington, take the Amtrak Crescent as far as Atlanta Georgia. It is an overnight train arriving sometime after 8AM (sometimes late). Rent your car there and either go to Florida or to New Orleans.
Turn in your car when you reach New Orleans.
Depending on your timeline and the weather, either fly from New Orleans to Denver or take the Amtrak "City of New Orleans" north to Chicago (overnight train).
If you do choose to go on the train to Chicago, You will have a few hours to a day to enjoy the city before flying to Denver or taking the California Zephyr to Denver.
Can your Colorado friend pick you up either at the airport or at the train station?
Fly from Denver to Las Vegas and rent a car there to see Nevada, Arizona and southern California. Return the car in Las Vegas and then fly home. If there are no flights from Las Vegas, there are several short flights to Los Angeles.
Dec 11th, 2015, 06:26 AM
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Any tour company itinerary will sound amazing, but I would expect Fodorites to have better suggestions than a canned tour. My initial thought is 2-3 days apiece for Nashville and Memphis and 4 days for New Orleans, plus 1-2 days to drive from Memphis to New Orleans.
Please do not take the train to Chicago. That is an added expense and wasted time.
Please do not take the train to Chicago. That is an added expense and wasted time.
Dec 11th, 2015, 09:09 AM
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You need to understand that Tom is a rain buff and will always reco travel by train no matter if it makes sense or not.
Amtrak is fine in the NE corridor - Boston down through DC. The train are very frequent and usually on time (within 15 minutes of schedule). Outside that area train service is very spotty, few trains (1 or 2 per day?), often late (since the tracks are owned by the freight companies whose trains get priority over passengers) by hours, sometimes many hours and usually more expensive than flying.
Unfortunately our federal government doesn't really support pubic transit except planes - so for most places car or plane are the most efficient and economical.
Amtrak is fine in the NE corridor - Boston down through DC. The train are very frequent and usually on time (within 15 minutes of schedule). Outside that area train service is very spotty, few trains (1 or 2 per day?), often late (since the tracks are owned by the freight companies whose trains get priority over passengers) by hours, sometimes many hours and usually more expensive than flying.
Unfortunately our federal government doesn't really support pubic transit except planes - so for most places car or plane are the most efficient and economical.
Dec 11th, 2015, 09:53 AM
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Based on your stated interests (food/music/wine/history/nature) and places already noted (Nashville/New Orleans drive, Colorado, Vegas) I think WhereWeAre is right on....
As much as I love Montana (IMO one of the most beautiful places in the US), I agree that it is not the easiest to get to and hopefully your Colorado leg will get you similar Rocky Mountain beauty (where is your friend located?).
To get the diversity, I would try to cut a few days from the Nashville/New Orleans leg but you'll get great music, food and a lot of action! Colorado will provide a very different vibe of nature/mountains depending on where you are going to be located.
NYC/DC of course will get you great history, action, food.
On California, with an interest in wine, I would recommend that you stick with the San Francisco/Bay area vs Southern CA as with a tour of the US, SF Bay Area is unique with city, nature (Redwoods), and wine tours in Sonoma/Napa at your doorstep. Also, the weather is mild. Then you just have to find a way to squeeze in Vegas if that is important.
As much as I love Montana (IMO one of the most beautiful places in the US), I agree that it is not the easiest to get to and hopefully your Colorado leg will get you similar Rocky Mountain beauty (where is your friend located?).
To get the diversity, I would try to cut a few days from the Nashville/New Orleans leg but you'll get great music, food and a lot of action! Colorado will provide a very different vibe of nature/mountains depending on where you are going to be located.
NYC/DC of course will get you great history, action, food.
On California, with an interest in wine, I would recommend that you stick with the San Francisco/Bay area vs Southern CA as with a tour of the US, SF Bay Area is unique with city, nature (Redwoods), and wine tours in Sonoma/Napa at your doorstep. Also, the weather is mild. Then you just have to find a way to squeeze in Vegas if that is important.
Dec 11th, 2015, 11:14 AM
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I agree with sharing the proposed drive route, some I have seen are terrible. Natchez, MS is a nice stop on your drive from NOLA to Tennessee.
You may like colder weather, and it will probably be fun and a novelty to you for a day or two, but after that unless you are skiers, it just becomes tiresome to me. And it will be very cold, not just "colder".
Napa and Sonoma are very nice indeed, but California has other winery regions, the two other best well known areas are Paso Robles, inland from Cambria, and the Santa Ynez Valley (seen in the movie "Sideways") near Santa Barbara. Napa has very high tasting fees in the more famous wineries. I personally like some of the wineries east of Sacramento in Amador County foothills and around Placerville although that area is also likely to be cold as well.
You may like colder weather, and it will probably be fun and a novelty to you for a day or two, but after that unless you are skiers, it just becomes tiresome to me. And it will be very cold, not just "colder".
Napa and Sonoma are very nice indeed, but California has other winery regions, the two other best well known areas are Paso Robles, inland from Cambria, and the Santa Ynez Valley (seen in the movie "Sideways") near Santa Barbara. Napa has very high tasting fees in the more famous wineries. I personally like some of the wineries east of Sacramento in Amador County foothills and around Placerville although that area is also likely to be cold as well.
Dec 11th, 2015, 03:44 PM
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the great tip, keep them coming!
Most common question is the self drive tour, after hearing your thoughts and doing some more research I am thinking it might be best to take their ideas and book it all ourselves, as part of the package you get a local tour guide in each town but from what I've read most museums have great tour guides that can fill us in.
Here's their (condensed) itinery let me know what you think!
Day 1
Arrive Nashville for 2 nights
Highlights - grand ole opry country music hall of fame, General Jackson showboat, wild horse saloon
Day 3
Drive to Memphis via Jackson along the music highway the detour to Nutbush.
2 nights in Memphis
Highlights - Graceland Sun studio, Stax museum, Smithsonian rock and soul museum, Gibson guitar factory
Day 5
Drive south route 61 to Clarksdale, continue to Greenwood both towns have local tour guides to show us around the local joints
Day 6
Cooking class, then continue to Indianola for Bb King museum
Day 7 New Orleans for 3 nights
This is their suggested 10 day itinery but we were looking to stretch it to 14 so that we could take our time, perhaps detour if we wanted.
My tablet keeps crashing so I'll submit this before I lose it all again and then answer the other questions in another reply. Thanks again for all your comments, you've all been so helpful!
Thanks for all the great tip, keep them coming!
Most common question is the self drive tour, after hearing your thoughts and doing some more research I am thinking it might be best to take their ideas and book it all ourselves, as part of the package you get a local tour guide in each town but from what I've read most museums have great tour guides that can fill us in.
Here's their (condensed) itinery let me know what you think!
Day 1
Arrive Nashville for 2 nights
Highlights - grand ole opry country music hall of fame, General Jackson showboat, wild horse saloon
Day 3
Drive to Memphis via Jackson along the music highway the detour to Nutbush.
2 nights in Memphis
Highlights - Graceland Sun studio, Stax museum, Smithsonian rock and soul museum, Gibson guitar factory
Day 5
Drive south route 61 to Clarksdale, continue to Greenwood both towns have local tour guides to show us around the local joints
Day 6
Cooking class, then continue to Indianola for Bb King museum
Day 7 New Orleans for 3 nights
This is their suggested 10 day itinery but we were looking to stretch it to 14 so that we could take our time, perhaps detour if we wanted.
My tablet keeps crashing so I'll submit this before I lose it all again and then answer the other questions in another reply. Thanks again for all your comments, you've all been so helpful!
Dec 11th, 2015, 04:12 PM
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Would you be interested in Civil War history at all or antebellum life? The Nashville/Mississippi area is perfect for that. You could add on a day in Nashville and drive to Franklin (30 minutes) which was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. And in Nashville go to the Bluebird Cafe to see up and coming singer song writers. Then in Mississippu tack on a day in Vicksburg and do their Civil War stuff.
One complicating factor is that Mardi Gras is early this year it's Tuesday February 9th so if you want to see parades you need to get there by Thursday or Friday and you need to book accommodations now.
One complicating factor is that Mardi Gras is early this year it's Tuesday February 9th so if you want to see parades you need to get there by Thursday or Friday and you need to book accommodations now.
Dec 11th, 2015, 04:14 PM
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That should be the Thursday or Friday beforehand.
Also I'd head to Colorado after that. Don't know where your friends are but Colorado while cold isn't that bad to me because it's dry. So don't let the cold scare you aware. Then from Denver hop on Southwest and fly to Vegas to 24-48 hours then onto California.
Also I'd head to Colorado after that. Don't know where your friends are but Colorado while cold isn't that bad to me because it's dry. So don't let the cold scare you aware. Then from Denver hop on Southwest and fly to Vegas to 24-48 hours then onto California.
Dec 11th, 2015, 06:14 PM
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I don't think of Colorado as being 'very cold' in the winter. That is such a subjective term, it's better to deal with actual numbers and let people decide for themselves if those temps are ok or not.
The average high/low in Denver for this time frame is around 50/low 20s (Fahrenheit).
Vail is upper 30s/lower teens.
Estes Park is mid-40s/20.
Durango is 50/lower 20s.
Just for reference, the average high/low for New York City during the same time is 45/30. Washington DC is mid-50s/mid-30s.
Since the OP has a 5 week time frame I averaged the temps a bit for February and March to come up with those numbers.
The average high/low in Denver for this time frame is around 50/low 20s (Fahrenheit).
Vail is upper 30s/lower teens.
Estes Park is mid-40s/20.
Durango is 50/lower 20s.
Just for reference, the average high/low for New York City during the same time is 45/30. Washington DC is mid-50s/mid-30s.
Since the OP has a 5 week time frame I averaged the temps a bit for February and March to come up with those numbers.
Dec 13th, 2015, 12:37 AM
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Thanks all - we understand it will be cold, I've spent winters in Alaska, Mongolia and Japan so I'm ok with the cold 
For those that asked, my friend is in Woodland Park which is 2 hours south of Denver so she will be able to show us around which will be great, hoping to have a week in Colorado.
At this stage going off all of your comments (thanks again!) we have got the below rough outline:
Start in New York, spend 2-3 days, then head to Chicago for 2 days.
Fly down to Nashville, spend 2-3 days, then drive (itinery in previous comment) to New Orleans over 14 days.
3 days in New Orleans for Mardi Gras (understand this is the start of February in 2017 so will have to leave Aus late January)
Fly to Colorado to visit my friend for a week (unsure where we will go, she will have lived there for 18 months so should know some places!)
Fly to Vegas for 2 days
Fly to California for 3-4 days of wine and relaxing then head home via LAX
I know it is jam packed and we do have to factor in travel time (and cross everything that there are no snow delays - but hey isn't that part of the fun?!) but I'd love to hear your thoughts!
For those that asked, my friend is in Woodland Park which is 2 hours south of Denver so she will be able to show us around which will be great, hoping to have a week in Colorado.
At this stage going off all of your comments (thanks again!) we have got the below rough outline:
Start in New York, spend 2-3 days, then head to Chicago for 2 days.
Fly down to Nashville, spend 2-3 days, then drive (itinery in previous comment) to New Orleans over 14 days.
3 days in New Orleans for Mardi Gras (understand this is the start of February in 2017 so will have to leave Aus late January)
Fly to Colorado to visit my friend for a week (unsure where we will go, she will have lived there for 18 months so should know some places!)
Fly to Vegas for 2 days
Fly to California for 3-4 days of wine and relaxing then head home via LAX
I know it is jam packed and we do have to factor in travel time (and cross everything that there are no snow delays - but hey isn't that part of the fun?!) but I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Dec 13th, 2015, 02:53 AM
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Hi nonib from a fellow Australian!
My partner and I did America for 6 weeks last October (we are 24) and did the following: Chicago (4nights), Boston (4n), New York (10n), Washington DC (3n), San Diego (3n), Anaheim (Disneyland; 2n), Los Angeles (3n - 3 nights too many...), Las Vegas (3n - one day was Grand Canyon tour), San Francisco (4n).
2-3 days in New York is no where near enough. Taking into account how exhausted you will be from the travel (allow 1 full day recovery), you will need a minimum of 6 days there to experience anything. On that note - DO NOT MISS the 9/11 Museum. Easily the most moving part of the holiday.
We loved Chicago - and if you're pushing it, 3 days/2 nights should be okay. Definitely try to fit in Boston if you can - amazing city.
Don't waste time in LA...we even stayed in Santa Monica and it didn't do anything for us.
As for wine and relaxing - make a trip to the Margaret River region in Western Australia for the experience
We are off again at the end of this week to America (will include a trip to Denver and New Orleans) so can keep you posted!
Good luck with the planning! Not an easy thing to do from the other side of the world....
My partner and I did America for 6 weeks last October (we are 24) and did the following: Chicago (4nights), Boston (4n), New York (10n), Washington DC (3n), San Diego (3n), Anaheim (Disneyland; 2n), Los Angeles (3n - 3 nights too many...), Las Vegas (3n - one day was Grand Canyon tour), San Francisco (4n).
2-3 days in New York is no where near enough. Taking into account how exhausted you will be from the travel (allow 1 full day recovery), you will need a minimum of 6 days there to experience anything. On that note - DO NOT MISS the 9/11 Museum. Easily the most moving part of the holiday.
We loved Chicago - and if you're pushing it, 3 days/2 nights should be okay. Definitely try to fit in Boston if you can - amazing city.
Don't waste time in LA...we even stayed in Santa Monica and it didn't do anything for us.
As for wine and relaxing - make a trip to the Margaret River region in Western Australia for the experience
We are off again at the end of this week to America (will include a trip to Denver and New Orleans) so can keep you posted!
Good luck with the planning! Not an easy thing to do from the other side of the world....
