We are travelling to the U.S. in September 2003. We will be travelling to New York, D.C., Great Smoky Mountains and Charleston. I just wanted to know when we should book accomodation by?
Any help is appreciated!

Rachel:

I'd say by the end of this year. Do some research first though.

Rachel:
have you decided in which order you are going to visit each place? New York and DC have many many choices for hotels, so you can take longer before making your reservations there. The Great Smoky Mountains areas are most popular in the autumn when the leaves change, so you will want to make your reservations there as soon as you know where and when you want to stay. Fall is busy in the Smokies. Charleston is also popular in the fall, so that would be your 2nd place to secure as soon as you decide where and when. Charleston is still warm (and muggy) in September, so don't just bring warm fall clothing. Where are you visiting us from?

i call around february if it's a popular place or you want a specific room/floor. but, call back every month or so anonimously and check the rates again in case they go down.

The first Monday in September is a holiday. If you are planning on being here at that time bear in mind that the roads may be crowded and smaller hotels may be booked for the weekend.

Since New York has many hotels, you could book in March or April and should have no problem.

Thanks for the help. I will be travelling from Australia. Ive already had a look at some of the hotels on the net and alot of them are booked. I just wanted to know what the latest would be?

Do not be so sure that hotels are already booked. Many hotels will not let you book that far in advance on net and so just list themselves as booked.