Help with visit for a month!!
Sep 30th, 2015 | 11:37 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2015
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Help with visit for a month!!
Hi All,
Just wanting some help with ideas for a visit to USA for a couple from NZ. This will be our first visit to the states. Both 26. We will have just a little over a month up our sleeves and are planning to visit in April. We want to see and do as much as we can but still feel like we are on holiday, so I don't want us biting off too much in terms of the number of places we visit etc. Any recommendations on itineraries or must see's would be very much appreciated. There is just so much information around- Don't really know where to start! I will share some of our initial thoughts below so some opinions on those would be great.
- Thinking of spending some time in Hawaii either on way there or back - Have heard that Kailau-Kona is a great island to visit in terms of lots of things to get out and do along with some nice beaches to relax on. How much time would people recommend we give to Hawaii?
- Due to only having a month is it better just to focus say on the West Coast of US? So many places we would love to see elsewhere but we will be back again!
- Are we best to hire a car? We don't have much interest in doing a Contiki/tour bus type trip- Would much prefer to do things in our own time etc
- My partner also had some interest in visiting Mexico or Canada for a week during the trip
- Grand Canyon and most likely some of the other National Parks are a must for us
Appreciate any help
Thanks
Just wanting some help with ideas for a visit to USA for a couple from NZ. This will be our first visit to the states. Both 26. We will have just a little over a month up our sleeves and are planning to visit in April. We want to see and do as much as we can but still feel like we are on holiday, so I don't want us biting off too much in terms of the number of places we visit etc. Any recommendations on itineraries or must see's would be very much appreciated. There is just so much information around- Don't really know where to start! I will share some of our initial thoughts below so some opinions on those would be great.
- Thinking of spending some time in Hawaii either on way there or back - Have heard that Kailau-Kona is a great island to visit in terms of lots of things to get out and do along with some nice beaches to relax on. How much time would people recommend we give to Hawaii?
- Due to only having a month is it better just to focus say on the West Coast of US? So many places we would love to see elsewhere but we will be back again!
- Are we best to hire a car? We don't have much interest in doing a Contiki/tour bus type trip- Would much prefer to do things in our own time etc
- My partner also had some interest in visiting Mexico or Canada for a week during the trip
- Grand Canyon and most likely some of the other National Parks are a must for us
Appreciate any help
Thanks
Sep 30th, 2015 | 01:06 PM
#2
Joined: Oct 2005
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I wrote a looong response but the website isn't working and it won't let me post it. I'll try again after the tech folks get things straightened out.
But basically a month is not long enough for HI, CA, NV, AZ, OR let alone adding Canada and/or Mexico.
I suggest you get some guidebooks and start to refine your wish list.
Except for IN San Francisco and IN Las Vegas you will need a car.
But basically a month is not long enough for HI, CA, NV, AZ, OR let alone adding Canada and/or Mexico.
I suggest you get some guidebooks and start to refine your wish list.
Except for IN San Francisco and IN Las Vegas you will need a car.
Sep 30th, 2015 | 01:42 PM
#4
Joined: Oct 2005
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The website is acting up so all I can do is re-type part of my earlier reply and cross my fingers . . .
You are asking a very broad question.
Just in California for example are 1000 miles of coastline, San Francisco, many theme parks (Disney, Universal, etc.) mountains (which in April might still be snow bound) Los Angeles, San Diego, several wine regions, Deat Valley, Carmel/Big Sur, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and LOTS more. So 2 weeks would barely scratch the surface - and require some real editing.
You are asking a very broad question.
Just in California for example are 1000 miles of coastline, San Francisco, many theme parks (Disney, Universal, etc.) mountains (which in April might still be snow bound) Los Angeles, San Diego, several wine regions, Deat Valley, Carmel/Big Sur, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and LOTS more. So 2 weeks would barely scratch the surface - and require some real editing.
Sep 30th, 2015 | 01:45 PM
#5
Joined: Oct 2005
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Didn't see clarkgriswold's post
That is doable for sure but is a lot less extensive than what you seemed to be considering. No Oregon, and definitely no Mexico or Canada. And the California bits would have to be very selective.
I won't try to re-produce the rest of my 'missing' post -- you get the idea.
That is doable for sure but is a lot less extensive than what you seemed to be considering. No Oregon, and definitely no Mexico or Canada. And the California bits would have to be very selective.
I won't try to re-produce the rest of my 'missing' post -- you get the idea.
Sep 30th, 2015 | 02:14 PM
#6
Joined: Sep 2003
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The answer to this is sooooooooooooo heavily reliant upon your own whims... which are FINE in this case.
Though I think I would opt for a week-ish in Canada over a week-ish in Mexico. Consider your USA variables and then add the fact that Canada is the 2nd-largest country on earth...
IF your USA trip leans heavily toward the western part of the continent, then your Canada week would do well to focus only on Vancouver, and the Canadian Rockies.
You could probably best facilitate that with a western-US journey that included Washington, Oregon, Yellowstone Park in Wyoming... and of course California.
There are just... soooooooooooooo many variables... that it is probably going to take both of you selecting one or two very high priorities to at least put some parameters on the path, so people here at Fodors can help you out.
Were it me, at this stage of the vague planning, I might target southern California for the first leg of the journey... and then go up the coast (either driving or flying) first, in order to let the western interior of the U.S. have a chance to warm-up just a bit, before you get there. (April won't be COLD-cold... but it can have snow in spots, on occasion, and you'd even do well to get Southern California behind you when only (early-?)April heat is present)
You could so easily spend a week in southern California darting around L.A. and visiting San Diego, among other places.
Maybe it wouldn't be bad to then fly to, say, Portland, Oregon, and do a round trip from there, which entails getting a car, driving first to Seattle for a couple of days, then Vancouver, Canada for 2 or 3 days... then going eastward to see the Canadian Rockies... before returning to the USA in western Montana, and proceeding to Yellowstone Park, Wyoming... and exploring the Jackson Hole area just south of there, before contemplating a trip to Denver, then (maybe southern?) Utah, stopping in Salt Lake City... and then back toward Portland, Oregon via Boise, Idaho, eastern Oregon, and then The Columbia Gorge en route back to Portland.
Unless you have interest in Las Vegas glitz and lights, there isn't much to gain from spending serious time in Nevada.
But anyway, there are soooooooooooo many variations on what you can do that for me to just propose this vague idea, feels like sticking my neck way out there!
(some other poster will add something like "My aunt Mildred lives in Battle Mountain, Nevada and you've got to go to this little malt shop there"
Though I think I would opt for a week-ish in Canada over a week-ish in Mexico. Consider your USA variables and then add the fact that Canada is the 2nd-largest country on earth...
IF your USA trip leans heavily toward the western part of the continent, then your Canada week would do well to focus only on Vancouver, and the Canadian Rockies.
You could probably best facilitate that with a western-US journey that included Washington, Oregon, Yellowstone Park in Wyoming... and of course California.
There are just... soooooooooooooo many variables... that it is probably going to take both of you selecting one or two very high priorities to at least put some parameters on the path, so people here at Fodors can help you out.
Were it me, at this stage of the vague planning, I might target southern California for the first leg of the journey... and then go up the coast (either driving or flying) first, in order to let the western interior of the U.S. have a chance to warm-up just a bit, before you get there. (April won't be COLD-cold... but it can have snow in spots, on occasion, and you'd even do well to get Southern California behind you when only (early-?)April heat is present)
You could so easily spend a week in southern California darting around L.A. and visiting San Diego, among other places.
Maybe it wouldn't be bad to then fly to, say, Portland, Oregon, and do a round trip from there, which entails getting a car, driving first to Seattle for a couple of days, then Vancouver, Canada for 2 or 3 days... then going eastward to see the Canadian Rockies... before returning to the USA in western Montana, and proceeding to Yellowstone Park, Wyoming... and exploring the Jackson Hole area just south of there, before contemplating a trip to Denver, then (maybe southern?) Utah, stopping in Salt Lake City... and then back toward Portland, Oregon via Boise, Idaho, eastern Oregon, and then The Columbia Gorge en route back to Portland.
Unless you have interest in Las Vegas glitz and lights, there isn't much to gain from spending serious time in Nevada.
But anyway, there are soooooooooooo many variations on what you can do that for me to just propose this vague idea, feels like sticking my neck way out there!
(some other poster will add something like "My aunt Mildred lives in Battle Mountain, Nevada and you've got to go to this little malt shop there"
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Sep 30th, 2015 | 02:52 PM
#8
Joined: Aug 2008
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April? Forget about Yellowstone and the Canadian Rockies. Yellowstone is still closed down and you would run into significant snow in the Rockies yet.
Stick to Hawaii, California and southern Utah/Grand Canyon area. Those are all suitable for an April visit.
Stick to Hawaii, California and southern Utah/Grand Canyon area. Those are all suitable for an April visit.
Sep 30th, 2015 | 09:34 PM
#10
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2015
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Thanks so much for those replies everyone. It is super helpful. We will narrow things down to a bit of a more defined wishlist and go from there. Obviously we are aware that there is no way we can do EVERYTHING we want with such limited time. We definitely wouldn't be trying to do everything I listed they are just our initial thoughts. I would love much longer but unfortunately our jobs etc don't lend themselves well to taking some serious time off.
Will have some more questions once we have worked out exactly what our priorities are. We have purchased some guidebooks today.
Will have some more questions once we have worked out exactly what our priorities are. We have purchased some guidebooks today.
Sep 30th, 2015 | 10:37 PM
#11
Joined: Feb 2003
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Here is a link to a very helpful trip report. Perhaps it will give an idea of how to plan your trip
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...m#last-comment
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...m#last-comment
Oct 1st, 2015 | 03:41 PM
#13
Joined: Jan 2003
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Hawaii and Mexico are my two personal favorite vacation spots. So I would spend 7-10 days in each & maybe just see a bit of the beautiful California coast in between those two.
Oops, I see the Grand Canyon is a "must"... hmm...
Oops, I see the Grand Canyon is a "must"... hmm...
Oct 1st, 2015 | 07:12 PM
#14
Joined: Sep 2003
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Uh, whyyyyyyyyyyyyy wouldn't they want to drive through the Canadian Rockies with significant snow on the ground ?? The scenery is much better with a snowy backdrop.
That's the whole point of beginning the trip in Southern California upon arrival (in early April)... and then taking their sweet time up the coast and only then over toward the mountains.
You can drive through parts of Yellowstone Park all year long, and they were never going to sift through every grain of sand in the entire park.
The desert-ish areas east of L.A. and in much of Arizona can't even hold a candle to the lush green beauty of the northwest, which is perhaps enhanced by snow in the mountains. April is generally pretty tame where it concerns active weather, and the farther north you are, the more they tend to get the stuff off of the major roadways quickly.
When coming from so far away, you have to make different priorities than one does when visiting from Texas or Nebraska, because your chances of returning aren't so grand.
So the idea of doing Southern California first, and then going north is quite sound, particularly as you'll want to spend time in /near Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, Canada along the journey... all of which delays your entry into the Canadian Rockies while allowing the weather to warm a bit to afford the best possible experience.
Now you might opt to go to Boston and New York for all we know, but at least consider getting the full effect of western North America IF you opt for the western USA.
That's the whole point of beginning the trip in Southern California upon arrival (in early April)... and then taking their sweet time up the coast and only then over toward the mountains.
You can drive through parts of Yellowstone Park all year long, and they were never going to sift through every grain of sand in the entire park.
The desert-ish areas east of L.A. and in much of Arizona can't even hold a candle to the lush green beauty of the northwest, which is perhaps enhanced by snow in the mountains. April is generally pretty tame where it concerns active weather, and the farther north you are, the more they tend to get the stuff off of the major roadways quickly.
When coming from so far away, you have to make different priorities than one does when visiting from Texas or Nebraska, because your chances of returning aren't so grand.
So the idea of doing Southern California first, and then going north is quite sound, particularly as you'll want to spend time in /near Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, Canada along the journey... all of which delays your entry into the Canadian Rockies while allowing the weather to warm a bit to afford the best possible experience.
Now you might opt to go to Boston and New York for all we know, but at least consider getting the full effect of western North America IF you opt for the western USA.
Oct 1st, 2015 | 07:37 PM
#15
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>>all of which delays your entry into the Canadian Rockies while allowing the weather to warm a bit to afford the best possible experience>>
Or they could delay their entry into the Canadian Rockies until late June or July when they could truly get the best possible experience.
April is mud season. Lower elevations are wet from the snowmelt, higher elevations are still socked in by snow. Roads are closed. Hiking trails suck. Delaying their entry by a couple weeks won't change that.
If we want to talk about Yellowstone, here's the link to their page of opening dates:
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/ocd_locale.htm
Roads:
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm
Exactly one section of road is open year round, and it doesn't enter the heart of the park but meanders from the North to the Northeast entrance. By mid-April they could get to Old Faithful but the majority of the park is still closed.
Again, there is simply no point to putting on that many miles only to be so restricted in what you can and cannot do. Skip Yellowstone and the Rockies until you can visit in summer and fully experience them. Guaranteed there will still be snowy peaks to look at even then.
Or they could delay their entry into the Canadian Rockies until late June or July when they could truly get the best possible experience.
April is mud season. Lower elevations are wet from the snowmelt, higher elevations are still socked in by snow. Roads are closed. Hiking trails suck. Delaying their entry by a couple weeks won't change that.
If we want to talk about Yellowstone, here's the link to their page of opening dates:
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/ocd_locale.htm
Roads:
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm
Exactly one section of road is open year round, and it doesn't enter the heart of the park but meanders from the North to the Northeast entrance. By mid-April they could get to Old Faithful but the majority of the park is still closed.
Again, there is simply no point to putting on that many miles only to be so restricted in what you can and cannot do. Skip Yellowstone and the Rockies until you can visit in summer and fully experience them. Guaranteed there will still be snowy peaks to look at even then.
Oct 2nd, 2015 | 05:30 AM
#16
Joined: Sep 2003
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LOL - WhereAreWe:
Did you even read the original post?
They are a 26yo couple from New Zealand planning to visit in April.
Your advice makes sense for a couple from Nebraska who could be expected to have a return opportunity one day very soon.
There are lots of people who would only go to the Canadian Rockies in the winter... so the part about the best possible experience being in June or July is completely absurd.
People visiting from the other side of the world have no interest in pitching a tent along the Icefields Parkway and living off of K-Rations for two weeks - they just want to see what they can see, and move along!!
Maybe they should shun the entire U.S. interior and only stay on the coast in order to avoid any serious winter weather at all??
Now the parameters are, that they are planning a trip in April, so how about we stick to the parameters they offer and do the best for them within the bounds of what they know at this time?
In that regard, the entirety of (the 2nd-largest country on earth) is NOT completely closed-down and off-limits just because the calendar says "April". (I drove to Alaska in April, for heaven's sake, and there might have been 30 of 2400 miles with snow on the ground - none of which was problematic)
Did you even read the original post?
They are a 26yo couple from New Zealand planning to visit in April.
Your advice makes sense for a couple from Nebraska who could be expected to have a return opportunity one day very soon.
There are lots of people who would only go to the Canadian Rockies in the winter... so the part about the best possible experience being in June or July is completely absurd.
People visiting from the other side of the world have no interest in pitching a tent along the Icefields Parkway and living off of K-Rations for two weeks - they just want to see what they can see, and move along!!
Maybe they should shun the entire U.S. interior and only stay on the coast in order to avoid any serious winter weather at all??
Now the parameters are, that they are planning a trip in April, so how about we stick to the parameters they offer and do the best for them within the bounds of what they know at this time?
In that regard, the entirety of (the 2nd-largest country on earth) is NOT completely closed-down and off-limits just because the calendar says "April". (I drove to Alaska in April, for heaven's sake, and there might have been 30 of 2400 miles with snow on the ground - none of which was problematic)
Oct 2nd, 2015 | 07:09 AM
#17
Joined: Aug 2008
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NorthwestMale: Oh good god. Yes I read the original post.
" I don't want us biting off too much in terms of the number of places we visit etc."
"So many places we would love to see elsewhere but we will be back again!"
In light of that, I would not recommend they visit the Rockies or Yellowstone in April, but rather visit those locations in summer on another trip.
>>how about we stick to the parameters they offer and do the best for them within the bounds of what they know at this time?>the entirety of (the 2nd-largest country on earth) is NOT completely closed-down and off-limits just because the calendar says "April"
" I don't want us biting off too much in terms of the number of places we visit etc."
"So many places we would love to see elsewhere but we will be back again!"
In light of that, I would not recommend they visit the Rockies or Yellowstone in April, but rather visit those locations in summer on another trip.
>>how about we stick to the parameters they offer and do the best for them within the bounds of what they know at this time?>the entirety of (the 2nd-largest country on earth) is NOT completely closed-down and off-limits just because the calendar says "April"
Oct 2nd, 2015 | 07:28 AM
#18
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,049
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It doesn't MATTER if the Canadian Rockies are a good destination in April (I tend to agree w/ WhereAreWe - not the best time)
1 month is simply not enough time for AZ,NV,CA,HI . . . and Canada, let alone Wyiming/Yellowstone. Now, a weekend in Victoria or Vancouver could be squeezed in w/ a couple of days in Seattle maybe - but even that would be a stretch.
There could be two distinct 4 week trips - take your pick:
South - Hawaii/Arizona/Nevada/some of California
North - Hawaii/Washington/Wyoming/Montana/ some of Canada
(NWM - calm down before you burst a blood vessel
)
1 month is simply not enough time for AZ,NV,CA,HI . . . and Canada, let alone Wyiming/Yellowstone. Now, a weekend in Victoria or Vancouver could be squeezed in w/ a couple of days in Seattle maybe - but even that would be a stretch.
There could be two distinct 4 week trips - take your pick:
South - Hawaii/Arizona/Nevada/some of California
North - Hawaii/Washington/Wyoming/Montana/ some of Canada
(NWM - calm down before you burst a blood vessel
)
Oct 2nd, 2015 | 10:36 AM
#19
Joined: Dec 2011
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I can only agree that 'less is more' here. You want to enjoy a few places, not be cooling your heels in airports or driving all over the place -- regardless of how pretty the scenery may be.
I'd stop in Hawaii on your return to relax, get on Island Time and soak up some Aloha. If you have a week, that's good for one island. You might like a condo -- home from home -- washer/dryer for your travel-weary clothes -- a kitchen to let you 'eat in' some of the time. You'll want a rental car everywhere except within Honolulu.
Which island? Can you fly home from anywhere other than HNL? End of April is pretty nice all over. You could stay Waikiki and north shore Oahu. My DH and I have sometimes connected via HNL, sitting within airport security for two hours between connecting flights to/from other islands.
Consider putting all your connecting flights on one ticket to protect against schedule changes. Let the airline be responsible for making it all mesh.
As for the mainland...people do Vegas/Grand Canyon, then fly to San Francisco or Seattle and drive north a bit along the coast. Los Angeles sounds better than it is, IMO. haha
I'd stop in Hawaii on your return to relax, get on Island Time and soak up some Aloha. If you have a week, that's good for one island. You might like a condo -- home from home -- washer/dryer for your travel-weary clothes -- a kitchen to let you 'eat in' some of the time. You'll want a rental car everywhere except within Honolulu.
Which island? Can you fly home from anywhere other than HNL? End of April is pretty nice all over. You could stay Waikiki and north shore Oahu. My DH and I have sometimes connected via HNL, sitting within airport security for two hours between connecting flights to/from other islands.
Consider putting all your connecting flights on one ticket to protect against schedule changes. Let the airline be responsible for making it all mesh.
As for the mainland...people do Vegas/Grand Canyon, then fly to San Francisco or Seattle and drive north a bit along the coast. Los Angeles sounds better than it is, IMO. haha
Oct 2nd, 2015 | 11:02 AM
#20
Joined: Sep 2005
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There is a lot to see and do in LA and that area that is not related at all to Hollywood or theme parks contrary to what many think (although I do love Disneyland). However will wait to hear what the OP decides upon (suspect they are discussing their options).
