Advice Needed on touring the US
May 24th, 2007, 03:17 AM
#1
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Advice Needed on touring the US
I am planning a trip to the US in september for a year and am looking for some advice on places of interest that i can visit and where the best places are to go during certain times of the year, i.e. where is the best to go during spring break etc i know this question is quite vague but i am looking to experience an assortment of what america has to offer. any advice would be most appreciated..
thanks,
Ted
thanks,
Ted
May 24th, 2007, 04:19 AM
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It is really to vague to have any input from anyone. You need to tell us what you have interests in, price range, are you to driving around or public transportation.....way too many variables to answer so far.
May 24th, 2007, 05:14 AM
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my plan is to travel around the US and see the different aspects. i will be driving, and the plan is to currently go on a road trip throughout the US, im looking for recomendations on where i should include in the trip, me and my friend are both 20. we are not looking to spend excessive amounts of money, but at the same time we have money to spend if needed
May 24th, 2007, 05:28 AM
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If you are interested in some of the Natural Wonders and Historical Sites you could start with the ones administered by the National Park Service. http://www.nps.gov/ .. This should keep you on the go for a year or so. This is a big country and the only thing that will slow you down is time and money... If you are interested in camping your way across and around the country the National Parks offer some of the most inexpensive and best sites you can find. You could also investigate the National Forest and the Campgrounds they offer as well, many are adjacent to the Parks.. http://www.fs.fed.us/.
May 24th, 2007, 05:45 AM
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Trip would vary hugely dependant upon the amount of time you have and what you like to do. So answer these 2 questions.
1. How many days/weeks/months do you have?
2. And what are your primary interests....what kind of things do you love (ie...art, biking, hiking, lounging around, history, partying, etc., etc., )
1. How many days/weeks/months do you have?
2. And what are your primary interests....what kind of things do you love (ie...art, biking, hiking, lounging around, history, partying, etc., etc., )
May 24th, 2007, 05:54 AM
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If you are coming from outside the U.S. and planning on spending a whole year, you probably need a visa of some sort.
Wher will you be starting? If east coast, I'd say start in New York, which can be very nice in Spetember, Then head up to New England to see the fall colors. Then south along the east coast , visiting Washington DC, and the south coast states, and ending in Florida about January. Work your way across the southern states and Texas, so you are in Arizona by early April. The beautiful southwest parks (Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce) are great in April. Also visit Monument Valley and Sedona. Not sure where the best place for spring break is, or what kind of experience you want, so I can't help there. (We always go skiing).
Then west to California for May. Spend the summer visiting the national parks of the west---Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and work your way back across the northern states (canoe trip in the Boundary Waters?).
Wher will you be starting? If east coast, I'd say start in New York, which can be very nice in Spetember, Then head up to New England to see the fall colors. Then south along the east coast , visiting Washington DC, and the south coast states, and ending in Florida about January. Work your way across the southern states and Texas, so you are in Arizona by early April. The beautiful southwest parks (Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce) are great in April. Also visit Monument Valley and Sedona. Not sure where the best place for spring break is, or what kind of experience you want, so I can't help there. (We always go skiing).
Then west to California for May. Spend the summer visiting the national parks of the west---Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and work your way back across the northern states (canoe trip in the Boundary Waters?).
May 24th, 2007, 06:06 AM
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we are both of dual nationality, so a visa is not required, also in regards to the rental problem, i have a car in storage from when my family moved from the states, i have a US license so the driving is not a problem. Our interests include partying, history, wintersports, technology and intesting tourist attractions..
May 24th, 2007, 06:34 AM
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Tedwood87,
why is it I suddenly think you need little, if any advice LOL...
car in storage (thanks for telling us that)
valid US license which means you've lived here already..once
firth thing on interest list is "partying"...
hey, have a great trip!!!
why is it I suddenly think you need little, if any advice LOL...
car in storage (thanks for telling us that)
valid US license which means you've lived here already..once
firth thing on interest list is "partying"...
hey, have a great trip!!!
May 24th, 2007, 06:46 AM
#14
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the advice that is needed is actually on where to go regardless of whether there is a car in storage or not, and though i have lived in 1 part of the states this does not mean that i am an expert on POIs in other parts of the country
i am here to ask for advice regarding planning a trip that will hopefully be memorable, not to have my question scrutinized in a sarcastic and quite frankly obnoxious tone.
i am here to ask for advice regarding planning a trip that will hopefully be memorable, not to have my question scrutinized in a sarcastic and quite frankly obnoxious tone.
May 24th, 2007, 06:55 AM
#15
tedwood: Welcome to Fodors. Those little details (like already having a car in NJ, etc) were kinda sorta important. And we did need to know what you are interested in.
No one was obnoxious (well you were, just a bit, but never mind)
Your questions is VERY general and wide open. Do you have a basic itinerary in mind? Are there any "musts" in the way of locations/events?
No one was obnoxious (well you were, just a bit, but never mind)
Your questions is VERY general and wide open. Do you have a basic itinerary in mind? Are there any "musts" in the way of locations/events?
May 24th, 2007, 07:04 AM
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i am sorry for seeming a little off, its just i came asking for advice, and it did not seem to me that dukeys post telling me that i was apparently wasting every1s time by doing so particularly constructive..
back to the topic however, we dont really have a set itinery, this thread was really for suggestions on where i should go along the way, and what would be VAGUELY the best time to go,
back to the topic however, we dont really have a set itinery, this thread was really for suggestions on where i should go along the way, and what would be VAGUELY the best time to go,
May 24th, 2007, 07:16 AM
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Oh, geez, ted. You can't go wrong. You've got a year. Most folks find ways to navigate their gap year without problems. Fergie finished hers up via a Greyhound bus in the SW US. They even ran out of money and had to find a job for a while. Pick up a guidebook or two and read and go see what you are interested in.
You start in Sept. in the NJ?
Then, see the NE when it's prime foliage season.
In the winter, avoid the snow. Head for the SW or do a big loop by heading south and then west and drive cross country.
Go to the national parks out west.
Drive up the west coast from California all the way up.
Ferry over to Victoria, BC
Ski at Whistler if you want - or any of the ski resorts of the west.
Catch a cheap flight to Miami or wherever you want to spend Spring Break.
If you have 52 weeks, then do something as arbitrary as spending a week in each state.
Go to Alaska if you want.
Dang! With an entire year to travel, you can do as much of as little as you want.
My nephew took a gap year in the western US by doing the things of interest to him.
How can folks on a public forum have any idea what is of interest to you?
Buy a guidebook - or spend some time clicking on the Destination tab at the top of the page and see what Fodors recommends in their guidebooks.
You start in Sept. in the NJ?
Then, see the NE when it's prime foliage season.
In the winter, avoid the snow. Head for the SW or do a big loop by heading south and then west and drive cross country.
Go to the national parks out west.
Drive up the west coast from California all the way up.
Ferry over to Victoria, BC
Ski at Whistler if you want - or any of the ski resorts of the west.
Catch a cheap flight to Miami or wherever you want to spend Spring Break.
If you have 52 weeks, then do something as arbitrary as spending a week in each state.
Go to Alaska if you want.
Dang! With an entire year to travel, you can do as much of as little as you want.
My nephew took a gap year in the western US by doing the things of interest to him.
How can folks on a public forum have any idea what is of interest to you?
Buy a guidebook - or spend some time clicking on the Destination tab at the top of the page and see what Fodors recommends in their guidebooks.
May 24th, 2007, 07:29 AM
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Since you mentioned partying, I would check when all of the big celebrations take place in the major ciities and then figure routing and other points of interest in between. I don't know that many, but consider:
the Aloha Festival in Hawaii in September, (fly there and then back to NJ)
Oktoberfest celebrations around Milwaukee or other cities,
Thanksgiving in New England,
Christmas/New years celebrations in major cities or maybe Disney World,
Mardi Gras in February,
Spring Break in March,
Fiesta in San Antonio in April,
Chicago (Taste of Chicago) in July
Milwaukee Summerfest in July
or spend 4th of July in Boston or Philadelphia,
... just for starters.
the Aloha Festival in Hawaii in September, (fly there and then back to NJ)
Oktoberfest celebrations around Milwaukee or other cities,
Thanksgiving in New England,
Christmas/New years celebrations in major cities or maybe Disney World,
Mardi Gras in February,
Spring Break in March,
Fiesta in San Antonio in April,
Chicago (Taste of Chicago) in July
Milwaukee Summerfest in July
or spend 4th of July in Boston or Philadelphia,
... just for starters.
May 24th, 2007, 08:14 AM
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Ted,
My original suggestion was based on a continuous loop around the U.S. But if you have the flexibility to move around a bit, I would highly recommend the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah in January. This would combine wintersports and partying in a good way. You'll have to plan ahead to get lodging there, and tickets for the events. Here's the website for information: http://festival.sundance.org/2007/
Just remember every tank of gas will cost you $50 or so. You might like to fly to some of your spots.
My original suggestion was based on a continuous loop around the U.S. But if you have the flexibility to move around a bit, I would highly recommend the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah in January. This would combine wintersports and partying in a good way. You'll have to plan ahead to get lodging there, and tickets for the events. Here's the website for information: http://festival.sundance.org/2007/
Just remember every tank of gas will cost you $50 or so. You might like to fly to some of your spots.
May 24th, 2007, 08:44 AM
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September, October, November in the northeast. Live somewhere between New York and Boston, and see New England, the cities as far south as Washington DC.
December, January, February -- take a week to drive south via the Appalachians, then live in the southeast. Northern Florida or coastal Georgia, maybe. Visit New Orleans and the Okefenoke. See the Gulf Coast as far as Texas.
March, April, May -- live in the Southwest (somewhere between Phoenix and Denver). See the Grand Canyon, visit national parks, Rockies, and desertlands. Go to Las Vegas.
June, July. Take 10 days to travel north through California, see the Redwoods and the Northeaset. Spend a month on the coast in oregon or washington, or in the Rockies.
August. Take two weeks to drive from west to east coast, stopping for a couple days here and there -- Badlands, Chicago, Niagara Falls, etc.
September. Put the car back in the garage and go home.
