hi there,

I am hoping to go travelligh round the US next year, and will be doing this alone. Can anyone offer any tips on where to go, what to see etc. I have never done this before!

Would be grateful for any help and advice.
Thanks

Karen, what part of the US are you flying into? That will give us an area to start you off in. The US is a very big country.

Here's my nominee for vaguest header of the day AND stupidest question.

Karen, have you read these boards? They're a great resource to get you started on ideas of where to go and what to do. We can't help you wihtout knowing at least a little bit about your schedule, budget, what you enjoy, etc.

awfully sorry Sam! didn't intend to offend!

Anyway, was planning on flying to NY and then take it from there. I understand the US is a huge place, but was just interested to know if anyone else has been travelling around the states and could offer any help and advice.

So.....what time of year? How long? Budget? Interests?

Karen, I can see that we aregoing to have to take you by the hand on this one.

What time of year will you be arriving? Summer is very hot in our South.

How long will you stay? Our recommendations will be very diffrent for a two-week trip than for a two-month one!

Will you rent a car, or rely on public transport?

Do you enjoy outdoors activities, museums, city, country? Are there particular parts of he US that you want to see, or features that you're more curious about?

LOL, "traveler", GMTA!

1. Budget?

2. Length of stay?

3. Time of year you arriving?

4. Have you been to the US before?

5. Hobbies?

ok...please dont be offensive Sam, i am all new to this..including the message boards!! this site was recommended by a friend and she told me it would be very helpful.
I plan on starting my travelling after July next year. I will be reliant on public transport. I will be staying for 3 months, due to visa restriction thoughwould much prefer to stay longer and work - doing bar work etc etc.

I would think i would start in either NY or boston and work my way around to see some of the culture and tourist attractions. Also, I will be on a budget of around £3000 sterling, approx.

What are the hostle like in general? Are they shabby or can you get some nice ones? I really dont mind where I stay as long as it is safe and clean.

are there any place you would recommened to a foriegner?? anywhere....I'm really not fussy where I go, as I just have a fasination with the states!!

Head west after arriving. You don't want to head south (extreme heat and humidity) until the end of your trip. $4500 is not a lot to travel on.

also, i have been to the states twice....florida about 12 years ago and most recently, Charlotte NC. I loved it in NC. not affected too much by tourism so it was good to see the "real america" so to speak. After seeing the touristy thing, I would like to go and stay in a regular town not over run with tourism to get a real feel of the place. I live in London UK, and see the tourists doing there thing everyday so would liek a change from that.

its not enough? oops...even for coach travel and budget hotels/hostels??

how hot are we talking???? 90?? 100???

Karen, Charlotte is not a 'real' southern town. It is a real mix of people that were transplanted from all over. Also, it is unattractive and spread out.

We have a summer place in Hilton Head, SC and with heat and humidity the heat index can easily soar into 110-120. Easily.

Public transportation, particularly Grayhound Buses can be sketchy. Sometimes Amtrak does a summer pass sort of thing you can buy and on/off ride.

wow that is hot!!

i saw charlotte as being finance and banking, but we stayed just outside in a place called concord.

whats a good southern town to try then?

Karen - arriving in nyc, you want to first see NYC!!!! then, why not see Washington, DC, since it is our national capitol.

While in the east, two options: boston, and philadelphia.

It will be in the winter, thus I'd skip all the other New England states - save them for a second visit, perhaps in summertime.

If you head south, see Atlanta, and skip Flordia this time.

Of course, you'll want to see New Orleans, Denver, Salt Lake City, maybe Dallas, Sante Fe, and of course, LA and San Francisco. Time permitting, Seattle.

Hawaii and Alaska are probably beyond budget and time limits.

Get a Fodors or Frommers of the USA.

If you know some folks, plan to stay with them.

That's about all I can suggest at this point. Your first step is to lay out an itinerary, then look at logistics, and make adjustments.

Have a good time, and ignore the negative folks. Do keep posting as you refine your travel plans.

Good southern towns you should not miss are New Orleans, LA; Charleston, South Carolina; and Savannah Georgia. Simply stunning.

Karen, I apologize for Sam he/she has no sympathy for a first time poster. I read your thread and feel he/she could have requested further information without being such an ass. Just be thankful you didn't misspell a word, when that happens watch out.
Hope you have a good trip in the US.

X, karen said she was arriving in July. Since when is winter in July in the Northern Hemisphere?