United States
 

We're two guys from Finland planning a two-week's trip to the United States in December. Presumably we're flying to New York and we've thought of flying from there to a couple of places and then perhaps renting a car to look around locally. Louisiana sounds nice. We've been to Florida a couple of years ago but besides that we haven't seen anything yet. Any suggestions? We're not trying to fit everything to this trip. We'd like to see Boston and Cape Cod but we'll leave that for another trip (summer or autumn).

Boy, you're leaving it wide open! What do you like to do? Hike, swim, party, shop, sightsee, museums, National Parks? If you want to stay near the east coast, I'd recommend Washington DC just cause of the variety there and its proximity to NYC. Down south, New Orleans in Louisiana or maybe San Antonio in Texax. Midwest, hit one of the great National Parks for hiking-Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota or Yellowstone in Wyoming (whoops, it may be in Montana; shows you my grasp of geography!!). Out west, there's always LA or San Francisco. How 'bout Seattle? I've heard Washington State has some beautiful National Parks. Decisions, decisions! Have fun and welcome to the US!

Janne, <BR>Two weeks is plenty of time to do some cool stuff. You might consider starting in Boston for a few days, then rent a car and drive out to Cape Cod for a night. Then drive 3 1/2 hours to Manhattan and check out NYC for 4 or 5 nights depending on what you like to do.Then drive 3 1/2 hours to Baltimore for a night and check out the Inner Harbor and eat some really great seafood and maybe take in the Orioles in a major league baseball game. Then shoot down to D.C. which is only 1/2 hour from Balto. and you can spend a few days in D.C. seeing the sites. D.C. is really a beautiful city. It also gets ugly too like any other major city. Good luck and enjoy.

We agree with the above. Since we're westerners, we'd suggest going all the way to the Pacific coast in December. Southern California has much to offer and the weather might be better in December than on the east coast. You could start in San Diego and drive up along the coast to San Francisco or even to Portland, Oregon. Then, you could drive inland depending on what you want to see and do. <BR> <BR>As you get your plans made, a posting again on Fodor should get lots of local ideas.

Like everyone else, I'm just guessing here. At first I thought of taking the train from Chicago to New Orleans (stops in Memphis), but if you aren't excited about Boston in December you probably also want to skip Chicago then. How about doing a triangle of Memphis-New Orleans-Nashville? You could also see a restored plantation or two. <BR>When in December is this trip? I'm assuming you'll spend some time in New York, and lighting the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza is a big deal--that's the first week of December.

As noted above, the New Orleans-Memphis -Nashville trek should be ideal. Fly into any of these cities from New York (each is serviced by major airlines, so you should have no problem getting an inexpensive fare), then drive from city to city. Each has made and continues to make major contributions to 20th century music, so be ready to go to clubs. <BR> <BR>If you're interested in U.S. history during the 1800s, visit any of dozens of recreated/restored homes from that period. If the US Civil War is your interest, visit such battle sites as Vicksburg, Chattanooga, or Stones River.

I think the operative word here is "December." Slippery roads. Bare trees. New York is fun any time of the year, and a special treat around Christmas, but from there, I'd head for warmer climes. It is not the time of year, for example, to see Boston, Cape Cod, or Chicago. <BR> <BR>Louisiana is an acquired taste; two guys from Finland might get a kick out of a few days in the French Quarter; I've never understood the attraction of the smell of stale beer. The bayous, however, are about as un-Finnish as the world gets. I-10 going west out of New Orleans is a 100-mile stretch of beautiful highway through the swamps. Caution: it gets cool in Louisiana in December; it can be 60 degrees F or only 30. <BR> <BR>If I were coming to the United States in December for two weeks, I'd head for California; see Los Angeles and San Francisco, and drive the coast highway in between. You'll have nie weather, especially in LA.

I'm with Neal. I live on the east coast and would never recommend coming here in December for a vacation. <BR> <BR>The California coast is just beautiful, you will love San Francisco. If you have the time, drive all the way south to San Diego (stop at Monterey/Carmel on the way). There are plenty of things to do and see on the West Coast and the weather is sooooooo much better.

Janne, what are your priorities? A one-way car rental will be very expensive, but if you want warm weather, California is definitely the place to go. How much history do you want? How much nightlife?

Thanks everyone for your great help.As Neal Sanders guessed December is indeed the operative word. We're used to driving in slippery roads, but since we have our share of cold weather at home we'll like to head for warmer climes. Some days in New York is in our plans, though. Martha asked about our priorities. Yes, we're pretty much interested in history and especially architecture. About nigtlife, I would imagine that we'll get enough of that in New York so that's not a must in the other destinations. Thanks Martha about the information on one-way car rental. So perhaps it's better to make a smaller round-trip locally. We're soon making a rough plan so perhaps you'll be seeing some more detailed questions in future. In the meantime all further suggestions are more than welcome.

GRAND CANYON! <BR>SAN FRANCISCO! <BR>CARMEL! <BR>Head west boys!

Do indeed go west, but do not try to drive. Flying will be your only option for a 2-week trip.

<BR>Check air fares and routes with your favorite airlines, and try to arrange a package that takes you from Finland to New York City, stay there for 3-4 days, and then fly to Phoenix. Rent a car there and drive to the Grand Canyon, worth seeing even in December, and then turn west and drive to Los Angeles. Spend the rest of your time in Los Angeles and parts of Califormia south of L.A. There's no reason to freeze on your holidays, and you might as well go to Switzeland as to the Rocky Mountains to ski, etc. <BR>BAK <BR>

<BR>Just reading this forum in general must have your heads spinning with all the great suggestions. My two cents: Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Carmel down the coast on Pacific Coast Hwy, LA then San Diego.

But your initial idea was such a good one! Loooziana -- specifically, N'awlins...(that's New Orleans, Louisiana, to a Finn) is so different from most other things in the 'States...and architecture - oh, yes! The stale beer smell Neal mentions (above) is a Bourbon Street minus -- but don't go there (the tacky, adolescent strip) and you don't have to deal with it. The rest of the French Quarter is picturesque and history filled. And some damned fine restaurants! And DC? No one here mentions DC...well, yeah, it's December...but it's also a bit history-laden...and architectural. <BR> <BR>But, too true: your eyes and minds must be spinning by now, with suggestions.

Definitely visit New York, but beware - it's very big and violent. Try Williamsburg if you are interested in Colonial History. Visit Annapolis, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, St. Augustine, and New Orleans if you are interested in colonial cities and architecture where it is also warm.

Louisiana is wonderful! You must go to New Orleans. The sights, food and history are great. There are lots of places in the south, but New Orleans is my pick. Stay in the French Quarter and be sure to see Bourbon Street! <BR> <BR>

I vote for the west coast and the Grand Canyon area as previously mentioned. <BR> <BR>Too much trouble getting cabs in NYC in December... wind/snow/sleet/etc. Lousy weather all up and down the eastern seaboard until you get to the Carolinas. <BR> <BR>You will love the west. Do that route mentioned above...Grand Canyon, Death Valley , Vegas (only one night!)...Joshua Tree National Park on the way to LA area. Head up the coast to San Francisco area and do the wine thing. <BR> <BR>Fly from Finland into Washington DC if you can. Fly into National Airport and see an amazing skyline from the air at night! Take one or two days there and then fly to west coast. <BR> <BR>Great weather, incredible scenery and you can even find some tasty Cajun cookin' up in Calistoga (wine country near San Francisco) to satisfy the New Orleans desire! <BR> <BR>I would save the northeast for October and middle Atlantic for spring. <BR> <BR>Definitely head west young men...you will not be disappointed! <BR> <BR>

I put my vote in for Louisiana...New Orleans is wonderful! Bourbon Street is pointless, the rest of New Orleans is full of great people, the best music in the U.S., and food to get fat and die for.

I think your idea of New Orleans is great! The best food, bar none, overall in the U.S! Great seafood, cajun, french and italian food! Wonderful and fun night life! Then go to the west coast and enjoy the sights - all mentioned above are wonderful - especially San Francisco and Carmel. LA is OK, but not my pick. The California coast is awesome, and so is the Grand Canyon. Las Vegas is like no other place, and fun! Beautiful new hotels on the strip! Weather will be miserable on the East Coast - go for summer there some time!