We are travelling to the States for 6 weeks in a month and
are interested in your opinions on the
best 6 cities to go to. Our experience is that we travel best when we
spend a week in each city. We
are arriving in LA and the only 2 places we have to go (family
obligations) are Livingstone Montana
and New York. We were going to get a motorhome (RV) but the cost
for 5 weeks (we won't need
it in New York and were planning to fly from LA after cruising around
for 5 weeks)but the cost of
doing this is MORE than flying and staying in motels.

So, if you were arriving in LA and had 5 weeks before heading off to
New York for a week,
knowing what you know, what would you do?

Thanks,
David

I am a native Californian. I have lived and traveled all over the USA as well as many foreign countries. My opinions are somewhat biased towards California which, IMHO, I consider to be the best place in the world.

Allot 3-4 days for San Diego. Much different than Los Angeles with many attractions.

At least 1 week for San Francisco. San Francisco is a good base for many day trips to Monterey/Carmel, Napa Valeey, etc.

Las Vegas is a must. Doesn't matter if you are a gambler. It is a spectacular place unsurpassed on this earth. Some people will not agree as they seem to have something against Las Vegas. But believe me, there is no other place on earth like Las Vegas. I would allow 3-4 days to see everything and enjoy it. I would fly to Las Vegas as the drive is very boring. You should go during mid week as hotels are much cheaper.

The rest of the folks can take care of places east of CA/NV. I would suggest that you drive up the coast to San Francisco or take the train ( better choice ) if it is feasible. Great scenery.

Hi David: First off, I'm jealous! Seems like only you guys get 6 weeks vacation while US battles the meek 2 weeks.


Anyhow, with regard to your trip, (and as a well versed traveller myself), this is how I would do it (remember, it's only MY OPINION):

Los Angeles, up the coast highway to San Francisco - up to Seattle, Washington, across to Montana,down to Yellowstone National Park, across to Lake Tahoe, Nevada, down to the Grand Canyon, further south to Las Vegas, down into Arizona, across and south to Taso, New Mexico, into the state of Texas, then Louisiana, up north to Washington, D.C. and ending finally in New York City. That should definitely cover you for 5 weeks. Bon Voyage - Demi

Will Rogers said there were 5 unique cities in US. You can make 4--San Francisco, CA; San Antonio, TX; New Orleans, LA; New York City, NY. Each are absolutely worth the visit. In each but New Orleans, you can find plenty to do for a week. Have fun!!

Oops! Each IS unique & worth it.

First, the more you travel, the less you see. Other than the tail lights of the car ahead of you. Second, America is a nation of farms, small towns and small cities that feed their young into the voracious maws of the big cities, only to see them emerge exhausted and perhaps rich a generation later. Third, spend some time using a small American town as a base to see some of our so-called sophisticated cities -- get to know some Americans who live there, not the on-the-go tourists who flock to such tawdry watering holes as Las Vegas (sorry, it represents all that is Mammon-worship in a tinsel culture, stunning as it may appear on the surface). Spend time seeing some of our unsurpassed scenic grandeur -- the High Sierras, the Columbia River Gorge, the Grand Canyon, the Giant Redwoods, etc.
Slow down...see more...get out of your home on wheels and walk silently through the forests and foothills. You will return with an understanding of America that will surpass anything found in most of our cities.