Final coast-to-coast itinerary - or is it?
 

I want to thank everybody who has helped me with this (even though I haven't always followed advice!). We fly from Heathrow the first week of June, hopefully with our luggage (terminal 5!), which seems no time at all now and I am getting nervous that I've forgotten something or that something will go horribly wrong - the usual doubts and fears, I guess! Anyway, this is our itinerary - not totally set in stone, but just about. I've roughed out what to do in NYC, Chicago and San Diego - but nothing is certain. There are a couple questions along the way, for which I would be grateful for any recommendations etc. And if there's anything you think I've left out, please say - thanks! And, sooorrry, this is going to be long!

(BTW, there are 3 of us - self, hub (60 on Friday, although I'm much younger, of course!) and one of our sons (grown up). The trip is going to cost us a lot of money for flights and accommodation - we will probably not be able to eat in restaurants every day - so fast food and self-catering often! We realise that we do not have enough time anywhere - but work commitments do not allow for longer. To us, the journey is the vacation - every mile of the way!

Day 1 - Drive to Heathrow. Overnight at the Heathrow Marriott.

Day 2 - Fly, BA, to JFK. Arrive 16:10. Take taxi (probably) to hotel (Hampton Inn, 8th Avenue, 51st St). Maybe walk to Times Square this evening, or to the Top of the Rock, or take an evening bus trip?

Day 3 - (this is where I'm very unsure). Morning - subway down to WTC. Look around there and Wall Street, Battery Park etc. Take the Staten Island Ferry for view of Statue of Liberty. Afternoon - Empire State Building, Macy's Fifth Avenue. Evening - ?

Day 4 - Probably Central Park area today. We would like to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum (especially the Rose Center. Pack up our bags this evening for early start tomorrow.

Day 5 - I don't know what time to ask for a taxi to JFK. We have a 9:30am flight (JetBlue) to Chicago O'Hare. 6:30 to 7:00am, I think? Land at O'Hare approximately 11:30. To hotel (new Residence Inn, River North) and hopefully early check in. Then what? Our list of 'musts' include the beach (! I MUST see those skyscrapers from the beach!), Magnificent Mile, Millenium Park, Navy Pier, Sears Tower, Hancock Observatory. We just like to saunter really! But what to do when and in what order, I have no real idea.

Day 6 - free in Chicago.

Day 7 - Pick up hire car. Via Dubuque to the Mississippi River Road and up to La Crosse for overnight at Grandstay Suites. I don't expect we'll have time for anything in the evening, but to go to bed!

Day 8 - morning boat trip on the La Crosse Queen (not sure if you have to book) - then leave La Crosse, via the Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway. Then the SPAM Museum at Austin, Jolly Green Giant at Blue Earth and continue on to Worthington (HIE) for our overnight (probably will arrive VERY late!)

Day 9 - First stop Sioux Falls Park - then Mitchell for the Corn Palace. Then the Badlands (it will have to be just the loop road) and Wall Drug Store, before continuing to our cabin in Hill City. Probably be too late to do anything much but settle in.

Day 10 - free in the Black Hills. Probably Custer State Park today. And we have a trail ride and chuckwagon supper/show booked and need to be there by 4:30pm.

Day 11 - Deadwood? A free day anyway.

Day 12 - Loong drive. First stop at Hot Springs for the Mammoth Site. Then onwards down to Colorado (eventually) - through Denver and overnight at the Quality Suites at Evergreen Parkway (near Golden).

Day 13 - Stop at Vail and at Glenwood Springs. Continue to Cisco. Turn off onto the scenic road for the Red Cliffs Lodge for 2 nights. Time for a quickie trip? Are there any quickie trips?

Day 14 - Arches of course. We are not big hikers - so are the Arches visible from the lookouts, or do you have to hike a little way? Also, will we have time for a quick look in Canyonlands? Is Moab worth a look around?

Day 15 - down to Monument Valley, via Four Corners Monument. Staying overnight at Gouldings Lodge. Try to do a trip into the Valley today. Simpson Tours high on our list, but are there others? Can we just turn up and get on a bus/jeep?

Day 16 - To Zion NP. Not sure which way to go - would like to see Horseshoe Bend and, maybe, Antelope Canyon (missed both when we were there before). Time for GC North Rim? I don't think so (we've already done GC South Rim). Staying 2 nights at Flanigan's Inn, Springdale.

Day 17 - Free in Zion. We did not have time to do Zion Canyon last time we were there (we overslept in the comfy Desert Pearl Inn beds) - so this is why we're staying here again. Shuttle up the Canyon and the Riverside Walk.

Day 18 - (you still with me?!) To Vegas, via Hoover Dam. We can't check into our hotel (Caesars) until 4:00pm, so plenty of time to relax at the Dam area. Not sure what to do this evening - we're not gamblers (just a few cents in a slot!) and don't really want to go to a show - so I guess we'll just wander around.

Day 19 - Death Valley. Straight through, but stopping at a few places, definitely Artist's Drive, Zabrinskie Point, Badwater Basin - without hanging around too long (or walking!) because it'll be HOT! Out of the Park and to Lone Pine. Overnight at Dow Villa Motel.

Day 20 - Not sure which way to go to Palm Springs - would a drive around Arrowhead and Big Bear lakes be feasible? Anyway 3 nights in a house in Palm Springs. Hot. But we have a pool and will be able to swim early mornings and evenings.

Day 21 - Free in Palm Springs. We will need to REST! The Aerial Tramway, Indian Canyons and Joshua Tree are ideas for outings. Also a scrapbook store not far off! If it's too hot to bear, we'll go shopping or look around museums.

Day 22 - Another free day in PS.

Day 23 - Early start from PS and drive directly to San Diego, as we have baseball tickets for the 1:05 game. Hopefully will dump our luggage at our hotel (Marriott Coronado Island) first. After the game, I think we'll got to the Old Town for a saunter and something to eat.

Day 24 - free in San Diego. We don't want to do much - beaches maybe. No zoo or Sea World, as we really won't have time.

Day 25 - our flight from LAX isn't until 21:10, so we will have all day to drive up along the coast road. Where is best to stop? Laguna Beach for sure.

Day 26 - arrive back at Heathrow. Stay overnight. Drive home the next morning.

Phew! Is there anything important I've forgotten, folks?

John Hancock Observatory = $12 per

Signature Lounge = 1 floor below, free ride up, spend the $12 on a drink/quick bite, = enjoy the same views.

Different elevators.

I'm assuming that the Hancock Observatory is on top of the Hancock building. If so, you do not need to go to the top of the Sears building; the reverse also applies.

The Chicago Art Institute is definitely worth a visit.

This sounds like a very "hot" trip after leaving Chicago. The places you have chosen to visit are mostly Great Plains or desert locations which could all be well over 100 degrees in June.

At that time of year, I would spend more time in the mountains. You really are not doing Colorado justice. And San Diego will be your only respite in California. Both Death Valley and Palm Springs as well as Las Vegas will be a furnace that time of year. Northern California would be a better option.

One suggestion is that when you come out of Death Valley, go to Ridgecrest for the night. Lone Pine is out of the way and Ridgecrest has better lodging options and is on your way to Palm Springs.

What about Bryce Canyon and San Francisco?

If you want to get a good look at New York and all the sights you can take the double decker bus that allows you to hop on and off at the stops you want to see. They give you history and point out points of interest on the way. There's a two day pass that would save you taxi and subway fares.

We took the architectural cruise boat in Chicago on the river and really enjoyed all the buildings and history.

Bryce Canyon is close to Zion and beautiful.

If you're up around Monument Vally, Mesa Verde is worth a look. It's also very interesting. Make sure you get an annual pass to the national parks. If you are visiting at least three it saves you money.

My husband and I just got back from a 72 day trip through the West if you need any tips. We went to all the places you are going. ( and more). We went without an itinerary and followed the weather since it was Jan. - March. What an experience. It was like 20 vacations in one. :)

Thanks to everybody for their replies. After I posted the message, I wished I hadn't, as there was too much and too many questions (and I am bound to change hotels once more - I seem to have an obsession ...)

I should say that we have been to the Rockies, to Bryce and to San Francisco before - this is our 3rd trip to the USA and we're 'doing' places we hadn't been to the other two times. First trip took in Bryce, GC, Yosemite and San Francisco etc - second trip took in Seattle, Vancouver, Yellowstone, Glacier, Banff etc. So, we are going to Death Valley and Palm Springs because we hadn't been there previously, knowing how hot it will be, but hoping we will be able to bear the heat (but always with some doubt!)

I couldn't find much by way of accommodation in Ridgeway and Lone Pine has that beautiful view of Mt Whitney!

Jenkinssk - wow, 72 days! I wish we had that long - must've been great!

Thanks all again - much to ponder on.

It sounds like a wonderful trip and I agree, the journey is the vacation. A nice way to start your visit to NY is with a double decker hop on/hop off bus tour. Particularly the lower Manhattan tour where the streets are not in a grid and it's easier to get lost. Since you can hop on and off it is a practical way to get to most of the attractions you want. Much more fun reaching the places you mentioned than the subway.

In Chicago, my husband and I (both middle 50s) again enjoyed the hop on/hop off Chicago city tour which gave us an overview. I would also highly recommend either the Art Institute River cruise (which is wonderfully enlightening about all of the fabulous architecture) and/or the 3 hour river cruise which goes out into the lake (gives you a great view of Chicago from the lake but not as much information about the architecture). When you are walking along the Magnificent Mile stop in at the "American Girl" store, it is an experience.

In Monument Valley you can just show up for a Navajo tour of the Valley. They leave frequently from the Visitor's Center and it is worth taking a tour, hearing the stories and seeing some of the area you can't reach without a guide.

Horseshoe Bend is a pretty view, keep in mind the walk is further than it appears from the car park. It is up and down and up again, sand paths. Antelope Canyon was beautiful, just pick up a guide from the parking lot, it is almost always crowded but really beautiful. We did the Chief Gnosi (spell?) tour from town but I wouldn't recommend it. It all depends on what guide you get.
Allow a couple of hours.

Death Valley has a wonderful stark beauty. You won't be able to walk much in the heat but you can see a lot by driving and stopping at the highlights. The Visitor Center is also quite good. My suggestion would be to drive from Vegas, spend the afternoon seeing the sites in Death Valley and overnight at Furnace Creek Ranch. They have a swimming pool and restaurant complex and the stars at night in Death Valley are unbelievable.

I would also drive directly to San Diego from Death Valley and skip Lone Pine and Palm Springs completely. But that is just my opinion. Unless you are want to golf in Palm Springs I cannot imagine what you would do there. San Diego is a fabulous place with endless things to do. Attractions such as Marine World and the San Diego Zoo are wonderful (even for non-tourist types!) and the whole area abounds with wonderful things to do. Also, after your long drive across the States it is a great place just to relax for a day!

Whatever your final plans, hope you have a terrific time.

BJinHolland - thanks for your advice.

I've been looking at things, ever since I read your message (several hours!) and am now thinking of changing things a little. A room is available at Furnace Creek Ranch, so that is the first option (TripAdvisor don't seem to go much on the rooms though!) - and, secondly, I could cancel our house rental in Palm Springs and opt for one night there in a hotel (we really would like to visit, but a brief visit might be sensible) and then (my hub's idea ...) to Universal Studios for a day (staying in Burbank or Hollywood overnight) and then 3 nights in San Diego instead of the 2. What do you think to this?

Yes, I have the American Girl on my list! I've suffered all these years with 2 brothers, 1 hub and 2 sons - time for some girl stuff! :)

There is a room available at Furnace Creek because "Mad dogs and Englishmen . . . . . " well you get the idea. ;)

You know there are LOT of looooong days in your itinerary so I won't brow beat you about that.

But I will make a major recommendation. You say you know it will be HOT in Death Valley and PS. Hot doesn't even start to describe it. If it were me I would entirely eliminate Palm Springs from the trip. Except for early morning swims there really won't be much else to do. You have alloted as much time to PS as to NYC and Chicago -- WHY??

If it were me, one option I'd consider is to add a day to Las Vegas and do Death Valley as a day trip from there. Then the next morning drop the car and fly to San Diego and spend more time there. Or if you just like loooooong drives, drive straight from LV to SD.

If you really, REALLY want to stay over in DV, then just drive to SD from there. I'd personally see no reason whatsoever to stay 3 days in PS.

Hi janisj

Yes, we had originally booked into Furnace Creek (some months ago), but decided it would be too hot; thus Lone Pine - but we are thinking of changing back again as then there will be less rush and less driving.

Why 3 days in PS? Easy! After a long trip, we thought a rest would be nice! That is, we booked a lovely house with own pool and spa for 3 nights. However, if it's too hot to swim, I guess we would be sitting inside the house all day! Thus changing (or thinking of changing) to just one night in PS. We really would like to see what it's like. Same with DV - we would like to see it.

Heck, we flew to Seattle and it was 90-something degrees there - that was a shock - LOL! And we have been to Phoenix in the summer, so we are aware of what hot means. (Though I guess DV will be even hotter!)

Yes, we really do love loooooong drives! That's the way we get to see the country. So, we will drive from wherever to San Diego, definitely. We've driven to Germany before in one day! :)

wild,

I haven't been to the East coast, so can't make any comments on that part of your itinerary. Regarding the west, however, I agree with others that your stay in Palm Springs seems too long, especially in comparison to the rest of your itinerary.

In your last post, you mentioned the idea of going to Universal Studios and staying in Burbank or Hollywood. I'm assuming that you don't have much interest in seeing other parts of the LA area, so I won't suggest anything. I also think that you REALLY want to go to Palm Springs, no matter how brief and although many (including myself) may think that it's a big detour with little benefit. I know the feeling of really wanting to see something for myself even though others are discouraging, so I won't try to discourage you.

My suggestion would be to spend the night in either Lone Pine or Furnace Creek after going through Death Valley. The next day, drive to Burbank and go to Universal Studios. If you purchase your tickets online now, they are offering a "two-days for the price of one special" that is good through the end of the year. You can wander around City Walk that evening after the park closes. The next day, you can either go back to Universal Studios (if you bought the 2-for-1 tickets) or take a little time going to other places in the LA area (Hollywood, beaches, etc.) or just head on out to Palm Springs. My recommendation would be to plan on spending a little more time in the LA area and then arrive in PS later in the day. Spend the night in PS, unwind and relax hanging out by your pool the next day and leave for San Diego the following day. You will still have the same number of days/nights in SD.

Have a great trip!!

"I couldn't find much by way of accommodation in Ridgeway and Lone Pine has that beautiful view of Mt Whitney!"

The town is Ridgecrest. If you look at the map, it's not too far outside DVNP and is on the way south. The thing is that Lone Pine only has a couple of motels and it's high season there in June.

Ridgecrest - which is not too far from Lone Pine - is in its low season because no one goes to Death Valley in June. If you look at Expedia, the rooms are considerably cheaper there and there is a greater number of restaurants because this is a town that caters to one of the most significant military bases in California. There are also a couple of good museums in Ridgecrest.

You stated that you visited Phoenix in the summer. The difference between Phoenix and Death Valley is that people live in Phoenix and everything is air conditioned. Death Valley in June is pretty much a ghost town and there is not much to do other than visit the visitor center and drive around in your air conditioned car burning up expensive fossil fuels.

The suggestions you have gotten about flying from Vegas to San Diego and skipping the desert is good advice. This is a trip for a milder time of year.

I'd also fly from Chicago to Denver and skip the Great Plains. Spend more time in the high country of Colorado. There is so much to see there and the weather would be fantastic.

You're certainly getting lots of views on this trip. Just one more note, if you do decide to stay a night at Furnace Creek Ranch please do not expect much in the motel room. The price is high due to the location (and monopoly) but the rooms are pretty worn. That said, if you want a desert experience, this is it. Staying in one of the nearby towns will not give you the same feeling as an overnight in the desert. And yes, it will be very hot. You could also drive straight through from Vegas to Burbank and just see some of the highlights of Death Valley. It would be a long day but is doable. We consider Burbank part of the great LA sprawl and avoid it like the plague, but Universal is a fun visit. Glad to hear others agree that you really will not have missed anything by skipping Palm Springs altogether.

Hi guys
Well, the good news is that, after much pondering - we are staying in SD for 3 nights now. The bad news is that we are still going to stay 2 nights in PS! We really do just want to loaf in our own pool for just a day. If it's way too hot for us, we can always go up to Big Bear or something. There is nowhere else where we can float in our own private pool, affordably - if I could get somewhere on the coast, I would (but then there's the June gloom to consider!)

We are going to drive into DV and out again and stay overnight in (hot) Barstow, so that we're closer to PS and our pool! :) We passed by DV last time we were in that area and regretted not going to have a look. It's not so much the desert I'm wanting to see - but the rocks, as I'm a geologist!

We (obviously) decided to skip Universal Studios. We don't like LA much (yes, we have been there before) and completely hated EuroDisney!

I'm sorry I'm being obstinate on this! :) But I went through all the 'hot in DV and PS' stuff when I first put up my ideas about a year ago, so have had plenty of time to ponder! This will probably be our last long trip to the USA and we wanted to fill some gaps.

HI wild,

Your itineraries always make my head spin!

Just one strong suggestion - eliminate Palm Springs, or just stay over 1 night. You will be bored silly there, especially in the summer. Add that night to Moab and Arches. There are motels with pools there!

Yes, you can see several of the major arches with just a short walk from the parking lot.

Take lots of water in your car into the park. Water is only available at the far end of the park, Devil's Garden parking lot.

good luck, have a great trip!

OMG!! Barstow!!

Don't say you weren't warned :D

LOL - yes, Barstow! Grim, I know - we've been there before (went into the Peggy Sue Diner!) - but it's only to sleep and they have a nice new Hampton Inn there!

We want to be bored silly in Palm Springs! We'll only be there for one day and a bit and intend to just rest at the pool! Yes, we have a lovely pool at our hotel just outside Moab - but son and myself can't swim and would like to try to learn in our own little private pool!

Now looking around to see if I can find anything better than the Coronado Marriott for San Diego. I don't think so. The Hotel Del is too dear and other places, near the beach (I'd love to stay ON the beach) are either a bit rundown or don't very well accommodate three adults in one room! I guess the Marriott will do - LOL!

wild,

Enjoy Palm Springs! I think the reason everyone is trying to discourage you from including PS, or at least for as long as you had planned, is that there really isn't much to do or see there. As a tourist, I think we all want to encourage you to do/see more of CA that we think is fun and interesting. That said, if your goal for PS is to relax and have fun at your pool, then I think you'll be happy with your decision. I've occasionally taken off for a weekend by myself to PS to do just what you're saying. I take some books and do nothing but lay out by the pool all day and destress.

My personal favorite is to get an inflatable raft and lay on that in the pool while I read. I can easily cool off by slipping my legs into the water or splashing water on myself. Just be sure to use plenty of sunscreen/sunblock and stay hydrated.

I'm taking a road trip to southern New Mexico next week, but one of the days I'm looking forward to the most is the day I'm going to spend visiting a girlfriend in Tucson on the way back. She's already said that she will give me the complete tour of Tucson (which, according to her, should take about an hour) and the rest of the time we're just going to hang out by her pool, drink cocktails and gossip. I can't wait! So, I think I understand where you're coming from.

Have a great trip!!

Just a comment about Arches National Monument. You will be given a site map at the entrance when you pay your fee...it shows the routes to all of the formations. You could spend a whole day and not see them all. Many are visible from the roadside, but the iconic Delicate Arch (the one on Utah's license plate) is quite a hike from the parking area and invisible from it. Carry lots of water and wear hats.