AmyDuke

Hi,

My partner and I and our then to be 20 month old daughter are from Australia and planning a holiday to the US we are planning on flying to LA hiring a car for a week seeing as much as possible around there and then flying to Boston where we plan on hiring an RV and spending Christmas there and then travelling down the coast down to Orlando possibly Miami if we have the time we were going to allow 3 - 4 weeks to travel down the coast and it will be in December/January 2014/15 would love some feed back on how realistic this will we be able to see much between Boston and Orlando/Miami in this time? Can anyone give me some must see places. I love photography and capturing great views or places that will look amazing covered in snow. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

Ackislander

Boston can be bitterly cold at Christmas (expect 0 C) and there is nowhere within a reasonable distance to park an RV, even if you could hire one that would be warm enough.

The area from Boston to Washington, DC, is highly urbanized and unsuitable for RV travel in the winter. I would suggest you do this by train.

Below Washington, an RV is possible but will be MUCH more expensive than staying in popular priced or budget lodging along the way. You will need to book sites ahead so the freedom to wander and stop where you will is not what we dream of. It is different out west.

It won't be warm enough for shirtsleeves during the day (reliably) north of South Carolina, and it won't be warm enough to go into the ocean until you are well south of Orlando. None of this is to discourage you, just to let you know what you are getting into.

There are fantastic places to visit along this route: Boston, NYC, Washington, Charleston, Savannah; fantastic routes off the interstate highways: US17, US 29, US 41 and 441 and on and on.

So listen to what others write, consider you trip, and come back with more questions. You will have a great time with a month.

AmyDuke

Thank you so much, thats really great to know. We will look at some other options then

How often would roads be closed at that time of the year or is it really unpredictable? Also having a 20 month old how easy would it be to catch public transport and how reliable is it? If we don't hire an RV would a normal SUV be suitable to get around.

Could you advise of any websites that would be really handy to look on for accommodation over there?

Once again thanks for your help.

Orlando_Vic

Road closures would be completely unpredictable.

Regarding public transport, why don't you consider the train (Amtrak)? http://www.amtrak.com/home

You might even be able to get a 15% discount with a (free) Orlando Magicard http://www.visitorlando.com/discount...ource=magicard

Once you get to South Carolina, you might even want to skip the rest of the train trip and get your rental car there.

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

capxxx

There is a chance you will experience a snow storm big enough to close the roads, but I'd be surprised if you would be stuck in place for more than a day or so. If it is bad enough to close the roads, it will likely shut down planes and trains as well. It would be an inconvenience, but it wouldn't ruin your whole trip.

If you are not experienced in driving in icy and snowy conditions (even when roads are open), I can't recommend that you try to learn how while on vacation. Especially with a baby on board.

So I, too, would vote for the Amtrak train between Boston and NYC, and maybe as far south as Washington DC. Then a rental car or RV for the rest of it, if you want to.

As for ease: you have to reserve your seats in advance for that section of Amtrak; but the train is comfortable and easy enough to use. It is mostly on time and reliable (in the northeast corridor), except of course when the weather is bad and everything is delayed. It would be extra busy and crowded in the days before and after Christmas.

You may want to look for hotel rooms with a ``kitchenette'', and maybe a door between the bedroom and the living room, so you can put junior down for a nap. There are ``suite hotels'' and ``extended stay hotels'' where every room is like this. Some are no more expensive than regular hotels.

nytraveler

Agree to plan on using Amtrak from Boston to DC.

If you really want to see some of the countryside - you can rent a car in advance (I wouldn't touch an SUV with a barge pole- they are really top heavy and can easily flip over in icy/poor road conditions - you are much better off with something low to the ground and front wheel drive. If the snow is too deep for that - you shouldn't be on the road anyway) as long as it can be cancelled depending on the weather. But IMHO you are really better taking the train (the most reliable transit unless a major blizzard) and just renting a car for a day or two here and there to see countryside.

Weather is totally unpredictable until 4 or 5 day in advance. You can count on chilly to cold temps (40s down to teens during the day from DC north and it can go below zero - F not C at night) so will need a winter wardrobe for all. Heavy jacket, hat, gloves, scarf, sweaters, warm pants and waterproof boots that keep your feet off the cold pavement (look at LLBean or Eddie Bauer online to see). This is esp important for a toddler w.ho will chill more easily.

When you get further south you might want to rent a car - and it is almost always warmer - but you can still get ice storms and closed roads as far south as GA.

AmyDuke

I really appreciate everyones advise, it is also great that everyone has the same response so I am definitely going to take that advice on board and cancel the idea of hiring an RV in Boston and maybe wait until we are further south if we do decide to get one. Again thank you all so much.

nytraveler

Don't misunderstand - you may not get much snow at all. But it's perfectly possible that you can get a storm with 2 feet or more - and some at least is likely. And driving in snow or ice is a skill it takes a little time to acquire.

AmyDuke

Just wondering if anyone can give me any info on suburbs you wouldn't recommend staying in, in New York?

Dukey1

Just to clarify...an SUV and an RV are two entirely different vehicles (this is more for the poster(s) above as opposed to the OP).

I would be very reluctant to drive an RV in snowy/icy weather especially if you aren't experienced and believe me, when and if it does snow/storm heavily in some parts of the northeastern US it can create absolute havoc so you've made the correct decision.

Also you need to think about which ROUTE you are going to take driving between Washington and Orlando. The most direct and fastest would be down Interstate 95 to Interstate 4. I have traveled that route many times and in fact am on an overnight accommodation along it as I type this post.

If you want to see "coastline" you are going to want to consider other, slower routes such as US-17 and even using that you are going to have to do variations if you want those great photo opportunities.

You might want to ask about THOSE possibilities in a separate post. There are several other road routes, some are right ON the coast and some would take you through the mountains and if you had time you might even consider doing both.

AmyDuke

Thank you, yes I am aware that an RV and SUV are different

I think I need to sit down and look at all the places I am wanting to visit and then start looking at routes.

I would love to do both but time may be the killer.

vjpblovesitaly

"Just wondering if anyone can give me any info on suburbs you wouldn't recommend staying in, in New York?"

Do you mean which sections of New York City should you avoid or are you planning on staying in the suburbs (which are outside the city?

AmyDuke

Yes sections of New York sorry.

Also we are going to fly into San Fran now and travel down to San Diego going to Las Vegas and Los Angeles along the way for a few nights can anyone let me know if it would be suitable to hire an RV to drive those routes and will there be many RV parks? We will then fly from San Diego to Boston and travel down that coast to Orlando hiring a small car and getting accommodation as we go.

nytraveler

All tourist areas of NYC are safe - in fact it's the safest large city in the country. I do not reco staying in the suburbs - which are generally at least an hour from the city.

If you cannot afford to stay in Manhattan - which is really the best choice for tourists - you might look at hotels in Long Island City - which is only about 15 minutes from Manhattan by subway. Just be sure you pick a hotel very near a subway station - since some are in inconvenient locations. Also be aware that this is a mixed use areas - with motels and a few shops/fast food places in among warehouses and auto-body shops.

TennesseeGuy

I know you can't see everything; but there is SO Much to see in US besides LA and the east Coast! Good luck with your trip.That area you are flying over is great for an RV trip.

Gretchen

I would scrub the idea of the RV on either coast. The cost of gas will eat you up vs. just staying in budget motels or such. And driving in the cities you are considering will be a nightmare.
For a short stay in NYC, stay IN the city.
Get a map and put in pins and see where you are going.
You mention Orlando--you want to go to Disney?

dwdvagamundo

And by "in the City" Gretchen probably means Manhattan. I wouldn't even think of staying anywhere else. As you have the money to come to the US, then do it right. Look on Tripadvisor for a place.

Train from Boston through NYC to DC is a great idea. Get a vehicle in DC and drive south. Chances of storms along the coast south of DC that time of year severe enough to close roads are slim, as the hurricane season will be over.

Photogenic places south of DC: the most scenic way to get to Florida (IMO) is to drive to the Eastern Shore of Maryland via Annapolis, take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, then go onto the Outer Banks, drive south along the Banks and then, back on the mainland, pick up US 17 south. At Charleston, take I-95 to Savannah, and thence to Florida. The Sea Islands in Georgia are lovely--at Brunswick, go to St. Simon's Island. In Northern Florida, St. Augustine is old and scenic with a old Spanish Fort.