I was going to use SouthWest airlines Dukey, we used them last time. Are there better/cheaper options?

<<You probably don't want to land in New Orleans on Halloween (Oct 31st).>>

Uh.......why would that be a problem?

JetBlue and virgin America can have great prices too. Try kayak,com to get a baseline idea for pricing, but not all airlines participate

I was going to ask that too Grcxx3. I googled it last night and there were a couple of people murdered in the festivities last year, so maybe things get a bit wild, or is that just sensationalist reporting?

Actually, there are many many reasons (other than the Liberty Bell and cheesesteaks) to spend a few days in Philadelphia: it's a very walkable city with eclectic treasures, fairly reasonable prices, and great food. Just a few links to get you started:

My favorite trip report about Philadelphia ever:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...iladelphia.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mount-park.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...iladelphia.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...he-morning.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...iladelphia.cfm

Perhaps your DD would even like to join you for a bit:
http://www.phillyjazz.org/

Thanks Amy, I think my DD will do a couple of trips with us especially if there is jazz involved!!

nelsonian - Halloween, like any other holiday/festival, brings out it's share of idiots. Here is an article about last year's shooting:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7A077Q20111101

Note: The first shooting took place on Bourbon St "early on Tuesday" (which was actually Nov 1) and the other shooting was an hour later on Canal St. So, unless you plan on partying until the early hours of the morning and in places you shouldn't even be in the early morning hours......I don't really see a problem.

If you have never been to Las Vegas - I think you are really missing an "experience", plus - it is easy to get to the Grand Canyon from there - either in a Helicopter or on a one day tour. There are also plenty of flights in and out of Vegas. And we use Southwest all the time. Probably consistently the best bang for the buck, on time, plenty of connections, friendly employees - and hey - "your bags fly free". :)

As for someone getting shot in the wee hours in New Orleans - that can happen anywhere. Best to be soundly snoring in your hotel in the wee hours. :)

And I am going to read the links Amy supplied about Philly. I think that city gets overshadowed being so close to NYC and also not that far from DC, etc. It 's definitely worth at least a short visit.

I've been checking hotels in Boston for a friend's visit in October or November and prices are high in October but very low for Thanksgiving so bear that in mind if you switch the order for your trip.

Book the bolt bus as far ahead as possible and if you avoid weekend travel you will get better prices.

We regularly travel on and around Thanksgiving and I think it's worse to be on the roads rather than at the airport. Wednesday (the day before) is the worse day at the airport.... but if you enjoy a zoo atmosphere or don't mind being bumped then go for it!

I'm going to read those Philly reports too. We go at lease once per year and I'd love some ideas.

I do enjoy a pork sandwich at DiNics at Reading Terminal Market. And Longwood Gardens is nice to visit as well.

I agree with Tomsd that Vegas is fun and everyone should check it out at least once.

Utah is a wonderful state to check out some time too...great National Parks!!

I agree, re. New Orleans. Early November is the best weather New Orleans has - it's the perfect time of year to visit.

Also consider more time in San Francisco - even if it means cutting elsewhere. It deserves 4 or 5 days. My favorite American city by far.

Otherwise your original plan looks damn good.

Your suggestion of switching the order and doing NYC in October and then winding your way down to New Orleans would be a better idea as the weather is better in the Northeast in October than November, the weather in New Orleans is spectacular in either month. There are very few tourists from out of state in New Orleans during Thanksgiving, most of the tourists are intra-state tourists attending the Bayou Classic, so leaving out of New Orleans during Thanksgiving will be a breeze. Just don't do it the Wednesday or Sunday.

Thinking about it, one of the reasons for going to NYC was to see the Christmas lights etc which won't be up until towards the end of the month, so will stick with the original plan. However DD has now complicated the issue saying we can take you to Boston from NYC for a few days and then you can fly out of NYC instead of Boston. Hmm her DH is not into touristy things so don't think they will want to stay for three days. If he can go listen to jazz music it could be different!!! Will keep thinking about it.

Thanks for your ideas.

Just keep in mind around the holidays, starting Thanksgiving, the Northeast is flooded with tourists dreaming of a Norman Rockwell Christmas. That means airports are over crowded and the experience is not nice. Leaving out of New Orleans at Thanksgiving will be a breeze in comparison. Just trying to maximize your experience.

Consider getting a 15 day Amtrak USA Railpass. Make the flight from San Francisco to New Orleans.
From NO take the Amtrak Crescent to BWI and rent a car for your visit to Columbia MD. Get back on the train into NYC and then to Boston. You can take the train back to Chicago or even back to San Francisco for your flight home.
amtrak.com I have traveled many miles on various rail passes.

Just found that the Crescent does not stop at BWI. You have to get off in Baltimore to rent the car for Columbia. The USA Rail Pass is $429 for an 8 segment 15 day Pass. Click on Deals.

I need to visit this forum more often :(

November may or may not be good for Grand Canyon. I would be afraid of bad weather.

Also, T-giving w/end is bad for travel, the busiest time at the airports.

And when in SF make time for a GTG or we'll never forgive you ;)

Dayenu the airfares have been booked so it is all go. We are flying into San Francisco 30th Oct leaving on the 2nd Nov for New Orleans. A GTG would be perfect while we were there.

Flying out of New Orleans the 6th Nov to New York although those flights haven't been booked yet waiting for SouthWest airlines to release fares. Flying out of NYC on the 26th Nov 2012 so will be there 20 days but will do a couple of trips from there with my DD and SIL.

When doing your research on flights from NOL to NYC compare the flights with BWI or Newark (EWR). You may do better flying to one of those and renting a car. Each of these airports has an Amtrak station attached to it.

I know my DD and SIL have used Newark They have a van so would be able to meet us. I will go check it out. At the moment a non-stop Jet Blue flight is $ 240 to JFK. I can get cheaper with a stopover on Delta.