Hi, First time visitors to the states Looking for info and advice re:where to go and what to do!, what to leave out and what are the 'must see's!' Our trip is in June, Any comments about our chosen accomdation would also be appreciated - Staying in New York - Loews hotel, Manhattan. Las Vegas -Hilton and Orlando - Sierra Suites on Intl. drive. party of 4 20somethings.
Thanks!
Elaine (Ireland)

Which Hilton in Vegas? I hope it is the Flamingo Hilton, not the other one which is well off "the strip". I think your other hotel choices are fine. Are those the three destinations?? or do you still have opportunity for others?? How long is your total stay??
Welcome to the US!

Elaine:
Hope you have a wonderful visit. So much to choose from. How long will your trip be? Do you want to limit your trip to major cities? Any other restrictions?
How did you go about selecting your hotels...package deal or travel agent? Are you flexible? Can you visit any other cities?

Since you are visiting Las Vegas, depending on your length of stay etc, you may want to consider a visit to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. There are countless tourist planes that fly to the grand canyon, land, let you visit, and then fly you back to Vegas. Depending on your economics and time frame and whether or not you like to drive; driving to the canyon is approx. 3-4 hours ( i may be wrong on that)You can stop and tour Hoover Dam which is near Las Vegas and is symbolic of Western U.S. water projects. Pretty spectacular. Unfortunately, the drive from Hoover Dam to the Canyon is pretty desolate most of the way. One other consideration, and this would include a side trip after the Grand Canyon; namely a trip to Sedona Arizona, which is about 2 hours south of the Canyon. Sedona is home of the red rock cliffs and mountains that are widely seen. This trip, however, would entail being away from Las Vegas at least two nights, and would require advance reservations, especially in the canyon area.
If Las Vegas is your primary desination, and time is limited forget about the Canyon (unless you fly) and have a great time!
There's certainly enough to do in Las Vegas. Aside from the Hotels etc.the last time we went we had fun visiting the Coca Cola exhibit across the street from New York New York Hotel.
I have never stayed at the Flamingo Hilton; if you are staying athe Las Vegas Hilton, the hotel is fine, but it is off the strip a bit and remember that it will be hot (100degrees F) If it is not too late , and the cost is right, I would prefer staying at Paris, great location and excellent rooms etc. Monte Carlo is in the same price range too as is New York New York and they have excellent locations. If you want a taste of old Las Vegas, go downtown one night (Fremont Street). A bit seedy but with its street cover display worth going to. Plus the gambling is a lot lower staked.
Again have fun and enjoy the U.S.

Must sees in New York: Staten Island Ferry (for 25 cents round trip, you get a great view of the Statue of Liberty and the lower Manhattan skyline); World Trade Towers (on a CLEAR day); New York Stock Exchange (blatant propaganda, but fascinating to see the world capital of capitalism); NY Metropolitan Museum of Art; Museum of Natural History; wandering down Fifth Avenue; watching the show outside NBC Studios during the "Today Show" (people trying to get on TV for two seconds); people watching in Central Park and at Washington Square.

Wow what a trip! I too would be interested in how long you are planning to spend here. Must sees...Well in NY, spend at least one day downtown. Top of the World Trade Center, Wall Street, Ferry to the Statue of Liberty, Lunch in Chinatown. I did all of this in one day although we opted not to spend 2hours in line waitin to get into the Statue of Liberty. The ferry trip and walking around on the island were fine with us. The Southstreet Seaport has turned into a shopping mall and I don't think it is worth the time but you may want to do some shopping and it is a nice atmosphere. One day mid-town at least, top of the Empire State Building, shopping on Fifth Ave, St Patrick's Catherdral, Rockefeller Center, and a Broadway Show. (Get 1/2 price tickets at TKTS the day of the show if you aren't picky) Ride the subway.

Orlando. International drive is very busy with traffic but I would stay there if I didn't want to stay in Disney. Must do's. Disney World (this could take three days alone). Universal Studios.

Las Vegas. O!, street shows ie. dancing fountains at Bellagio, people watching. The Grand Canyon is spectacular. I agree with your first post. It would great if you could fit it in.

Have a great time and email me if you have any questions.

Dear Elaine:
You say you are visiting the United States, but while NYC, Las Vegas, and Orlando are physically in the U.S., they are not OF it. They're weird worlds of their own--very UNAMERICAN in many ways. So, do try get out, beyond the boundaries of these glitzy, overwrought city states to learn what the United States are really like--and to meet some REAL people.

I agree with "yankee". I'd stick with New York, but the other two destinations will not allow you to get a feel for our culture. How about a "dude ranch" type visit out west? I'd skip LV and do the Grand Canyon and other points out west. If you want to visit the south, check out Charleston, Savannah, our beautiful North Carolina coast. Florida has lots of beautiful gardens to visit--there are many bed and breakfast establishments also. Also in Florida is the experience of diving in fresh water springs. For specifics, please e-mail!

I hope that you are staying in the Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas so you can enjoy there great swimming pooks and tropical paradise.

Don't pay any attention to these folks that talk about 'real' America. Las Vegas, New York, and Orlando, are every bit as American as Wichita Kansas. They are all part of what makes up this great country. The only difference is that your choices will be a lot more fun. You have made some excellent choices. The only cities that I would add to your list are San Francisco and San Diego.

I would think that Las Vegas and Orlando do reflect our culture quite well - whether that be good or bad is up to the individual. New York does too, in that it is a real melting pot.

Elaine,
My wife and I would agree with most of the other replies. If you can make it to Chicago it is a great place to visit. We spent 6 days in NYC last year (we are from NIreland) and it was everything you expect it to be and more. Must do's are top of the World Trade Centre, cycling in Central Park, hanging out around Washington Square in the Village, the Empire State Building (go late a night if you can, the views of the city are like something out of Bladerunner), Staten Island Ferry (it's free!) and of course the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. For someone from Ireland Ellis Island is very moving. The view from the top of the Statue of Liberty isn't wonderful but it's good to say you've done it. Note that in the summer you can only climb it if you are on the first boat out from Battery Park. To get around, take the subway during the day (it is fast and safe) but at night I would take a cab - all you do is stand on the street corner and stick out your hand! Have a great time - if you need any more advice just ask.

Please check out Deb Wills' unofficial guide to WDW at www.wdwig.com, it has a wealth of information about Orlando attractions - mostly Disney, but also links to other attractions & trip reports from real people, including restaurant reviews. Also - shopping! at the end of International Drive is a shopping mall, Premier Character is a store there that is owned by Disney & sells off-season, first quality merchandise from the parks at GREAT discounts! Also check out the Orlando Sentinel newspaper website for information on local events, restaurant, & night spots. If you have Disney multiday tickets that include Pleasure Island, my favorite there is the Adventurer's Club, it has funny shows with a madcap cast of 30s style explorers gone wild! Lots of other fun clubs there you can hop in & out of.

Hi, and welcome to the U.S.A. I feel that just seeing those places (except NY and Grand Canyon) can be very contrived. I'm from the Midwest, where "normal" poeple live and work. If you could get away from these huge tourist areas you may be able to meet and see the real US with everyday people. Everybody I talk to from England says to me they've been to Amercia. Where? Orlando! I don't care for orlando myself. I used to live in Daytona Beach, and always dreaded driving anywhere near there. Try to get over to Daytona Beach, huge strand of white sand for miles, Cocoa Beach, or St. Augustine, (America's oldest city, I believe. The first two are an hour away from Orlando. You can spend an hour in Orlando going across town, so not bad. There is a very cool restaurant South of Daytona, by the lighthouse, called the Lighthouse landing, I think. Very causual, and worth it just to read the crazy signs hanging up around the place. Eat with the pelicans that sit on the dock.