gmoney

What a great trip! Not sure what you're asking about the 3 nights to Charleston. It would only take a day to drive from Philly to Charleston. You could stop in Washington or Norfolk on your way to Charleston. Don't let the anti Vegas folks deter you, if you have never been there it is quite a sight to see.

mrwunrfl

Your time in Las Vegas would be after the rodeos at the beginning of the month and before the holiday period. It is not a great time to go as it will be slow and can be cold. That slow period is just not as much fun, but you would benefit from inexpensive lodging, especially on the weekdays. You won't get the "Las Vegas experience" exactly, but something like it. That is, you can definitely enjoy it while you are wondering what it is like when it is busy.

nytraveler

It's just that in LV what you can do (that is LV focused) is limited by the age of your kids - no casinos, no clubs, not some of the shows, and it's not a town I would want to leave kids that age to find their own activities, esp with the pools closed for the winter.

zac495

The train from NY to PHILI and to DC is so, so easy. Consider Amtrak.

Amy

You could use more time in Philadelphia, especially as one of the nights you will be there is NYE. It's a terrific city whose attractions go way beyond the colonial American history for which it is perhaps best known. And I agree that train or even Megabus would be a good choice from New York to Philly (if we must abbreviate) rather than driving, as you won't need a car in the cities--in fact, it's somewhat of a drawback due to the cost of parking.

www.visitphilly.com is a good site for some ideas.

mrwunrfl

>>no casinos, no clubs, not some of the shows

There's a ton of stuff to do in Las Vegas besides the casinos (or so I'm told). I think it is quite safe on the Strip but am not a teenage girl. If safety on the Strip is an issue to you then you should skip Times Square in NY too.

The good thing ab out the time of year that you will visit is that lines should be shorter than when busy.

Lots of shopping, including unique/specialty shops, high-end retail, outlet malls, ..., and you might find some good sales at that time of year.

There's approximately 1.2 gazillion food and dining options.

There are lots of free attractions: the fountains at Bellagion, birds at Flamingo, pirate show at TI, volcano and rainforest at Mirage, the Fremont Street Experience, ... Many of the casino hotels have something to see based on a theme.

Lots of paid attractions. You can ride a Venetian gondola and go to the top of the Eiffel Tower on the same day. The Shark Reef/Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. The world's tallest Ferris wheel.

Outside of LV you can visit Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon.

There is a tour to the Grand Canyon that I recommend. It includes an airplane to GCY airport and then bus tour with stops on the South Rim - which is the part of GC that you want to see. Get a view of Hoover Dam on the way. Get a very early flight and be back to your hotel by noon or 1PM. It is not inexpensive.

POMAH

No way would I fly from Australia to the US 18hours without a stop-over in Hawaii.
Hawaii is a must see; arrange 3 days to sight see, then proceed to US.
Forget NC.
Also, dont drive around Manhattan.
Really, since you drive on the wrong side(left), I do not suggest renting a car at all as you might get confused.
Use public transport in Philly and NYC.

POMAH

Oh, and why not a stop in Chicago?
Buy, since it's Winter, it'll be brutally cold. As will be NYC.
But, if there is snow, I suggest to check out what I am sure you have never seen in Australia... that is snow on the beach!
So head down to Coney Island for some shooting from the pier of the rare places in the US where you can catch snow on the beach.
And then, go over to Brighton Beach to catch some Russians swimming in the Winter.

nytraveler

LV is IMHO just not a pleasant place for kids. One time I was there (business, I would never go otherwise) we were walking behind a family of 4 - the parents in front and the two sons, perhaps 8 and 10 behind. The sidewalk touts for "gentlemen's clubs" and escort services were handing the little boys some very graphic flyers that they were happily collecting and gaping at - until one of our group walked up and told the parents.

This is a very adult city - frankly don;t see much fun for the kids - unless you are doing it to see the Grand Canyon.

glen5564

Wow thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. I have been away for work (remote mining) and therefore have not had the time to respond. After careful consideration from you feedback we have refined the itinerary to:

Fly into San Francisco (3 nights)staying at Fisherman's Warf
- Booked Alcatraz
Fly to Vegas (3 Nights)staying on the Strip
- Booked Grand Canyon
Fly to New York (23rd December) staying 7 nights. Staying Times Square.
Train to Philly staying 5 nights with friends.
Fly to Charleston (3 nights)
Drive from Charleston to Nashville with one night stopover on the way.(3 nights in Nashville).
Drive to Memphis (2 nights).
Drive to New Orleans for 4 nights. We then fly Now Orleans home via a quick stop over in LA.

Tips on clothing and anything in general would be greatly appreciated. Any must do for first timers in any of the locations would be great. General interests (wife and teenage daughters like shopping, music,)
Cheers
Glen

nytraveler

For NYC and Philly you will need full on winter clothing. You may be lucky and get a 40 degree day with weak sunshine but you can also get highs of 25 to 30 and sleet, ice or snow. So, Warm winter coats, hat, scarf and gloves and winter boots with non-skid soles (leather fashion boots will be useless and the chemicals put down to melt ice will ruin the leather. (For examples check web sites of Eddie Bauer or LL Bean.) LV can also be cold, but snow is unlikely unless you head out to the Grand canyon.

Besides that bring things you can layer since you won;t need the heaviest clothing when you head further south - although ice storms are still possible. A fleece with warm shirt underneath may be enough - even just a shirt with tee underneath in NO.

simpsonc510

Vegas has shopping shopping and more shopping. Your wife and girls will enjoy the huge "regular" mall plus two outlet malls. The bigger casinos all have their own shopping areas. Check out the Forum Shoppes at Caesars Palace, for example. One of my favorites. Then there is City Center. It is glitzy and high end.

Live music is in all the casinos. A lot of it can be seen and heard from the fringes. Families are walking around most areas, going to restaurants and their hotel rooms. Your girls will be able to walk with you, just not in the middle of the casino action.

The Fremont Street Experience is fun to visit, in the old downtown Vegas. It's a several-block long covered walkway with laser light show and live music. There is a zipline going from one end to the other. It's great people watching!

I for one always enjoy Vegas. Itvis an annual trip for us, in January. There is so much more than just casinos and gambling! I understand your curiosity about seeing it. Don't be swayed! You may love it or you may hate it. It is certainly unique.

Nashville is the music city. I've not been in a number of years, but if you enjoy live music this is the place to be.

Enjoy your trip. Sounds like a good plan to me.

thursdaysd

Consider driving part of the way from Nashville to Memphis on the Natchez Trace Parkway:

https://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm

I'm in the anti-Las Vegas camp, but then, I don't shop either, and it's your trip.

DebbieDoesDulles

At this point your first line of business should be to secure your Vegas to New York tickets while there is still some availability at decent prices. On that Friday leading into the long holiday weekend, you'll want to leave your Las Vegas hotel at least 3.5 hours before your flight even though it's a domestic flight. The airport will be a nightmare. And in case of any snow emergencies, have a backup plan for spending Christmas in Las Vegas.

POMAH

Not taking Hawaii? Too bad, as you could determine the weather prior to proceeding to the mainland.
Oh, and yes, Winters are cold in NYC; it's the opposite of Australia.

halfapair

Wow. I just read your itinerary. There's a lot of flying & driving in winter weather with holiday travel mixed in. Just be prepared for delays because of weather + holiday travelers.

I hope you have a wonderful time. You are seeing quite a sampling of the United States - lots of variation in the places you are going.

sf7307

I think it's great, even if there is a lot of travel logistics involved. We were in New Orleans, which we love, in April, albeit without kids (although I was 12 the first time I visited, with my parents). Let me know if I can help with anything. There are a lot of people on this board who love NO.

ElendilPickle

How are you fitting the Grand Canyon into your Vegas time? If you're taking a tour from Vegas, you'll spend most of your day driving there and back.

Lee Ann

halfapair

I'm a NOLA lover. Hubby and I honeymooned there and also took a cruise out of there a few years ago. Lots of really good food, especially seafood.

serendipity_usa

Hi Glen,

Welcome to the USA! I was fortunate to spend 2 weeks in your glorious country and loved it. I was given advice back then that I hope you might consider: Don't try and do everything; pick a few "must dos" and enjoy them fully.

Here are my thoughts about your itinerary:

1. Skip Vegas. I love Vegas myself but (I speak from experience), it is absolutely NO place for kids. The Grand Canyon is amazing and definitely worth a trip but it takes 5 hours to drive there from Vegas and another 5 to drive back. I have done this drive twice, so I know firsthand.

2. If you go to the Grand Canyon, it will be seriously COLD there. The wind is fierce, so definitely dress warmly. I would skip Vegas altogether and spend my time at the Grand Canyon. It's simply glorious and they have accommodations.

3. Is there a special reason that you are going to South Carolina, then Tennessee, then New Orleans? This is a lot of traveling with (frankly) not much interesting to tourists (in my opinion). I concur with most others and say add Washington DC to your trip. You can take a train from Philly directly there and there is lots and lots to do. Most attractions are free, the food is good, and subways (no need for a car). You could easily spend a lovely week there without the summer crowds annoying you.

4. Comments about the weather - yes, it will be winter and some places (like NYC and PHIL) may have potential for winter storms and delays, it's not a high percentage. I lived in New England (north of those cities) all my life and its rare to have significant snow by Christmas. However, you will need warm gear like sweaters, and fleece jackets to stop the wind chill.

Safe Travels!