USA 7 weeks Starting September 98
May 12th, 1998, 12:04 AM
#1
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USA 7 weeks Starting September 98
Hi,
A friend and I are planning our first trip to the states. We have roughly 7 weeks. We plan spending 3 weeks in CA & LV. The other 4 weeks will be spent in New Orleans and driving from there up to New York. What we are looking for is some indication of Car Rental prices and hotel prices. We're looking at hiring a Mustang Convert while in CA and a mid size sedan from NO to NY. Also some indication of the price of an average hotel room for a twin. Also are ther any MUST see places. We're early 30's and would be greatful for any tips on place to go.
Thanks
A friend and I are planning our first trip to the states. We have roughly 7 weeks. We plan spending 3 weeks in CA & LV. The other 4 weeks will be spent in New Orleans and driving from there up to New York. What we are looking for is some indication of Car Rental prices and hotel prices. We're looking at hiring a Mustang Convert while in CA and a mid size sedan from NO to NY. Also some indication of the price of an average hotel room for a twin. Also are ther any MUST see places. We're early 30's and would be greatful for any tips on place to go.
Thanks
May 12th, 1998, 09:48 AM
#2
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So many 'Must See' places it's hard to know where to begin. I have lots of info on the Southwest & will try sending it direct so the web sites will be 'active'. Do not miss th Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta late Sep/Early Oct. Visit: http://www.aibf.org/
May 25th, 1998, 12:39 PM
#3
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Can you give some more details of your interest, type of accomodations you want, etc.? I'll try some answers.
Auto rentals are best on weekly rate. Last time in California I got a small car for $165 for week, so a convertible would be more. You need to check around for a company that will let you rent an auto in NO and drop it in NYC without a large "drop fee."
The hotels in cities are much more expensive than the smaller towns and rural areas you will be travelling through, also varies as to whether you want a bed&breakfast in a house, a roadside basic motel, or a full-service hotel. This is really going out on a limb, but I would say in cities, probably the absolute minimum is $75-100 and in smaller towns $50-75 for a room for two.
The must-sees depend on your interests. If you love the outdoors, then in California you will want to see the giant redwoods in one park (Muir Woods, Yosemite, Sequoia), the lovely waterfalls in Yosemite, the beautiful Lake Tahoe, the coastal drive south of San Francisco. If you like the city, then you'll want to see downtown San Francisco, ride the cable car, take a ferry across the bay. If you want some history you can visit Sutters Mill where the California Gold Rush started. In Las Vegas you will want to visit all the main casinos on the Strip and see the light show downtown on Fremont Street. If you want to see more natural beauty, then drive to Utah to the national parks or to Arizona and the Grand Canyon.
In New Orleans you will want to walk the French Quarter and visit the clubs at night. Ride the streetcar through the Garden District. If you like architecture, you'll want to drive out of town along the river roads to see the old plantation houses. You can take a swamp tour to see aligators and the like.
You have many choices for your route from New Orleans to New York City. If you start along the coast you can go to an Alabama or Florida beach. The mountain areas of Eastern Tennessee/Western North Carolina/Western Veirgina are very pretty with local arts and crafts centers. You'll pass through Virginia and Maryland that have many historical sites from the early U.S.
Of course, in NYC, you'll want to go to the top of the Empire State Building, see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, see Central Park and some of the museums, and go to a Broadway play.
Auto rentals are best on weekly rate. Last time in California I got a small car for $165 for week, so a convertible would be more. You need to check around for a company that will let you rent an auto in NO and drop it in NYC without a large "drop fee."
The hotels in cities are much more expensive than the smaller towns and rural areas you will be travelling through, also varies as to whether you want a bed&breakfast in a house, a roadside basic motel, or a full-service hotel. This is really going out on a limb, but I would say in cities, probably the absolute minimum is $75-100 and in smaller towns $50-75 for a room for two.
The must-sees depend on your interests. If you love the outdoors, then in California you will want to see the giant redwoods in one park (Muir Woods, Yosemite, Sequoia), the lovely waterfalls in Yosemite, the beautiful Lake Tahoe, the coastal drive south of San Francisco. If you like the city, then you'll want to see downtown San Francisco, ride the cable car, take a ferry across the bay. If you want some history you can visit Sutters Mill where the California Gold Rush started. In Las Vegas you will want to visit all the main casinos on the Strip and see the light show downtown on Fremont Street. If you want to see more natural beauty, then drive to Utah to the national parks or to Arizona and the Grand Canyon.
In New Orleans you will want to walk the French Quarter and visit the clubs at night. Ride the streetcar through the Garden District. If you like architecture, you'll want to drive out of town along the river roads to see the old plantation houses. You can take a swamp tour to see aligators and the like.
You have many choices for your route from New Orleans to New York City. If you start along the coast you can go to an Alabama or Florida beach. The mountain areas of Eastern Tennessee/Western North Carolina/Western Veirgina are very pretty with local arts and crafts centers. You'll pass through Virginia and Maryland that have many historical sites from the early U.S.
Of course, in NYC, you'll want to go to the top of the Empire State Building, see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, see Central Park and some of the museums, and go to a Broadway play.
May 26th, 1998, 12:53 AM
#4
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Hi fellow Australians, I have been to the USA 4 times in the last 3 years and highly recommend it its a real eye opener. Out of the cities you can get some great accomidation deals. Most areas have accomidation magazines at the road stops with some great deals valid most days except saturday night and major holidays. eg 20-20 USD for very nice clean rooms.
I agree with a previous comment about weekly rentals being cheaper also for something like a mustang it may be chaeper to rent from here in Australia we seem to get better deals on car insurance ( the real killer in terms of price ie can be as dear as the car rental and i would not recommend risking no insurance)
Not sdure what you are interested in but some must sees i would recommend in CA are
- Palm springs
- LA etc
- If you like theme parks and rides magic mountain ( 1hr nth of LA) is a must see
and of course D/land & Universal but get there early
- You have to drive down to San diego ( sea world and the zoo) and walk across into mexico ( some cheap shopping)
- San Fransico is great you could get a good look around and feel for it in a day if pushed for time.
- Santa monica and venice beach are a must see.
Hope this helps If you have any questions email me.
Garry
I agree with a previous comment about weekly rentals being cheaper also for something like a mustang it may be chaeper to rent from here in Australia we seem to get better deals on car insurance ( the real killer in terms of price ie can be as dear as the car rental and i would not recommend risking no insurance)
Not sdure what you are interested in but some must sees i would recommend in CA are
- Palm springs
- LA etc
- If you like theme parks and rides magic mountain ( 1hr nth of LA) is a must see
and of course D/land & Universal but get there early
- You have to drive down to San diego ( sea world and the zoo) and walk across into mexico ( some cheap shopping)
- San Fransico is great you could get a good look around and feel for it in a day if pushed for time.
- Santa monica and venice beach are a must see.
Hope this helps If you have any questions email me.
Garry
May 31st, 1998, 04:40 PM
#7
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Four the five unique cities in US are available to you: San Francisco, CA; San Antonio, TX; New Orleans, LA; and New York City. Between San Antonio & New Orleans is Houston and NASA Space Center, which is definitely worth the time. Envoy the US. Check out Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, etc., web pages.
Jul 5th, 1998, 10:28 AM
#8
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Coastal Oregon is spectacular.In Gold Beach(so.oregon)coast has great "jet boat"trips-great fun,lots of wildlife(bears,otters,eagles,etc).~2-3 hours from no.CA.From New Orleans head either east on I-10 to I-75 north thru Atlanta then into western NOrth Carolina-beautiful mountains,small towns,scenery(try Ashville,then N.W.on the Blue Ridge Parkway-eventually heading north into Virginia).Since the parkway is designed for leisusly driving(45mph)get on and off to explore small towns and/or make time.Go on the northern loop of the parkway(Called Skyline drive)into Washington D.C.(worth a few days-Smithonian Institute!).From there see Chesapeke bay area of Maryland-great seafood,then north,thru Baltimore,Maryland and into Pennsylvania(Philadelphia),onI-95 into New York.On the road we've stayed at Comfort Inn's for years-clean,includes breakfast ~$50 or less depending on the size of the town.There generally found onmain highways-easy to find.La quinta Inn's are similar,but less plentiful in eastern U.S. Have a gret trip-try to get to eastern U.S.by October when leaves change colors-quite a show!
Jul 5th, 1998, 10:45 AM
#9
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A must see drive is Monument Valley. This place means "America" to many, "westerns" to Americans. Fabulous and unforgettable lunar landscape scenery, all the more interesting because we've see it before many times. It's in Arizona and Utah, do a search for it on the 'net. It is the most unique natural landscape in North America (I know that is saying a lot!).
Jul 5th, 1998, 05:23 PM
#10
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Your itinerary sounds great but your making a big mistake not going to Chicago. Chicago is amoung the top 3 of most interesting, spectacular, beatiful, and entertaining cities in the USA. If you can find anyway to fit a stop in chicago in your trip, by all means do it. Just driving through the city and seeing that georgous skyline is worth going out of your way for. I hope to see you soon in chicago
