Help needed from USA experts... where to?
 

HI everyone.
We are currently in Boston MA until Jan 1. Due to cold weather, we have changed our original plans of heading into Canada after Boston. This means we have around 10-12 days to reconsider and make plans for. We want to be in Las Vegas by Jan 11-12. We love the states and we know there are lots of good options as to where to go, but we are after some ideas.
Some considerations:
We would quite like to go to DC for a few days, though this isn't a 'must'
We would like to got to a National Park but worried about accessibility in Winter. We've been to Yosemite, Bryce and Zion.
We wouldn't mind returning to Yosemite, but not sure of accessibility.
Already been to NY this trip.
We enjoy history, photography, interesting cities and beautiful landscapes
We prefer to see one or two places properly rather than rushing through places
We are happy to fly somewhere / hire a car etc
We have been to San Diego and up coast to San Fran on a previous trip

I am aware this is vague but I am just wondering if there are any trip planners here that could suggest a doable and interesting 10 day itinerary that ends in Vegas (whether that be flying in or driving)

Thanks for any thoughts

Cathy

You can drive to Washington, DC from NYC in about 4 hours (or fly in about 45 minutes) so that could be your first stop. Plan on spending at least 3 to 4 full days there as there's plenty to see and do.

Then consider going on to Charleston, South Carolina. It's 8 hours by car but you can fly there in about 2 hours so that would be my choice. Again, plan on at least 3 to 4 full days.

Depending on how long you stay in each city you might have time for a "third" stop before moving on to Las Vegas. If so, consider a stop (via flying) in say either Miami or New Orleans.

FYI - Many of the more interesting National Parks are in the northern parts of the country so accessibility in winter will be problematic.

Have you been to the Grand Canyon? That is a must-see national park and an easy drive from Vegas. You could combine it with a visit to Phoenix, Sedona, and/or other national parks in that area. However, , you'll get different snow conditions in different places as elevation really varies around there. Others will know those details better than I do.

Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos NM. It is glorious here at this time of year. Lots of indoor things to see and do in ABQ and SF. Taos is more outdoors oriented. Native American history, museums, great zoo, shopping, photography, history and it puts you in easy proximity to Vegas.

http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/

http://santafe.org/

Thanks so much already!! Busy looking at the links you've suggested. Yes, been to the GC :-)

Just a short comment. Yosemite would be accessible. Just take hwy 140 in via Merced. It is the low altitude route and hugs the Merced river. If by any slim chance the road is icy/chains are required,you can park at Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal and take YARTS. (The local buses) from El Portal into Yosemite village. You might be able to get accommodations in the Valley. If not, el portal USA good option.

You are on the east coast--I like the Washington and Charleston idea. You will NOT be sorry!!
Go on to Vegas (ick) and do try to go to the Grand Canyon.

Washington, DC, Charleston SC, Savannah GA, New Orleans...beautiful cities with loads of history.

Don't forget Philadelphia on your way from NYC to DC! It is indeed an interesting city with lots of history and plenty of opportunity for photography. (Just for a few ideas, here's my not-for-profit city blog: http://missalg.tumblr.com/)

http://missalg.tumblr.com/

The second of the parentheses set messed up the link!

Agree with one or more southern cities after DC. For Las Vegas and Grand Canyon be aware that although in a desert they can both be chilly/cold, esp GC due to the altitude. Snow is not infrequent in winter.

Thank you so much everyone, so many ideas to think about. Thinking Washington first as we wanted to go there anyway, and the Air and Space Museum closes for renovations soon. Will look into other ideas between now and the new year to decide. :-)

Below are some places that correspond to your description of the kinds of places you want to visit.

Beautiful Zion National Park is an easy drive from Las Vegas and so are Death Valley National Park and Valley of Fire State Park--all three are very much worth a visit.

The south rim of the Grand Canyon is a 4- to 5-hour drive from Las Vegas and Williams, just south of the Grand Canyon, has a colorful strip of Route 66 going through town.

Sedona is 2 hours from the Grand Canyon, and Jerome, a well-preserved 19th Century mining town, is a 30-mile drive from Sedona.

Oatman, 30 miles west of Kingman, is a funky little town approached from the east by a particularly scenic stretch of Route 66.

I hope these ideas are helpful to you.

HTtY

Friends are on a trip through the West right now.

Based on their pictures so far, there is a lot of snow in western Colorado, a little snow at Arches (in Utah) and pretty much no snow at Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods (also Utah).

New Orleans is likely to be crowded until after the weekend because of the Sugar Bowl football game (and people staying over for the weekend afterward). Definitely secure a place to stay before making plans to travel there.

The Florida Panhandle is on the Fodor's Go List 2015. Winter is not prime visiting time, as it won't be as warm as South Florida and the water is too cold for swimming, but it does have beautiful beaches and lots of history. You can check the weather forecast to see if it will be warm enough for you (highs will mostly be in the mid-50s up to about 70 over the next 10 days, with lows around 15 degrees less).

From Fodor's:

"The soft quartz beaches of the Florida Panhandle are more beautiful than what you'll find on most Caribbean islands and undoubtedly among the best in the United States. Chilly winters limit year-round vacationers, but those who venture down will experience a region that feels more Southern than the Latin-influenced culture of South Florida. Some towns have rollicking college-oriented nightlife, some are quieter and geared toward families. Fresh seafood is uniformly excellent, and the virtually unimpeded 100-mile stretch of beach from Pensacola to Panama City feels endless. Add the chance to explore less-visited but wonderful places like Apalachicola and Florida Caverns State Park, and you have the makings of a memorable vacation."

Could the trees be Sugar Pine trees? Maybe somewhere in Northern California like Lassen?

Washington DC
Savannah GA
Seaside FL (or one of the 30a villages nearby)
New Orleans
Fort Worth or Amarillo TX (just to spend the night)
Santa Fe, NM
Flagstaff - for the Grand Canyon
Las Vegas

One night each at the above stop but two nights at two of them = 10 days

I'd suggest Charleston over Savannah.

<B>spirobulldog:</B> I <i>think</i> you meant to post that to the thread asking about the 'Human Resources' sign????