Where is BEST to visit in US????
 

I will be travelling to the US for the first time for one month next August but Im not sure where to go!! I know the US is cheap compared to West Europe but how much would I need for accommodation? also what state has the highest temperatures during August and generally where do you reccomend I visit and why, any ideas would be very helpful, <BR> <BR>Thanks!!

Hi cjk <BR>Not sure what you are interested in--big cities or are would you prefer the mountains and National Parks. <BR>If you would like to see the cities, a suggestion would be the Northeast (Boston, New York, maybe Washington DC) <BR>and then Chicago. I have been to all of these except Wash DC. There are many things to do and see...historical sites, museums, Times Square etc. <BR>We enjoy the cities but we are a little partial to the west, as we enjoy the outdoors, hiking, etc. Some suggestions for that would be starting in Jackson Wy - Grant Teton Nat Park., then Colorado - Rocky Mountain Nat Park, <BR>then Arizona - Grand Canyon Nat Park. <BR>Have been to those and they are well worth seeing. <BR>Have not been to Bryce Nat Park or Zion Nat Park in Utah, but have heard some rave reviews about these parks. <BR>Florida is beautiful but it is very hot and humid in August, along with other southern states such as Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. <BR>Actually anywhere in the US could get very hot in August but it is more likely <BR>to be not as hot in the northern states or in the mountains. Sorry if this is a little long but hope it helps you. <BR>Glad to hear you are visiting the US- <BR>have a great trip. <BR>

Hi again <BR>Sorry, I forgot to suggest using this Fodor's forum, you can search by a specific state or keyword. I have gotten a lot of information from this forum. <BR>Also, about the cost, it is hard to say. When we were in the Northeast, the rooms were higher than in the south or <BR>Midwest. We did not find a room under $100.00, and many were $150.00 or more, and those were just average, standard rooms. <BR>We found the prices to be a little lower in the West; however, I am sure you will get other opinions. <BR>

CJK--tell us what you like to do--are you an outdoors person, do you like museums--do you have an interest in the American west, the space program, theme parks, beaches, mountains, etc. I think you can still get motel/hotel rooms in many parts of the country for under $100 and sometimes even under $75 in many parts of the country. <BR> <BR>If you like outdoor activities and want to stay away from the heat, going to the northeast (Maine) or west/northwest would be best in August.

This is a REALLY BIG country - can you narrow down your wants/needs for trip? Will you rely on public transportation while you are in US? Larger cities have the best systems. <BR>Do you bicycle & would you be traveling by bike? Ask about bicycle clubs you could visit with, join up for local rides. Same for hiking. Do you like colonial or civil war history? Virginia: Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Mount Vernon; the Washington DC area; Baltimore, Annapolis, it goes on & on - lots of states with lots of history. Do you want to see a TV show being filmed? New York or Los Angeles are your best bets. Lastly: your age, interests, where you plan to fly into & whether you are traveling with a group or alone will make a big difference in any recommendations. Post again with some more detailed info & folks will be glad to help!

Try: www.worldclimate.com. They have average rainfall amounts, high and low temperatures. Just enter a city name. <BR> <BR>Highest temperatures in August would be anywhere in the south - from Florida to Texas to Arizona. If you don't like the heat & I mean heat, or sunburn too easily, stay away from the south. If you want to swim in the ocean or golf, the Atlantic Coast would be quite warm but OK for lots of outdoor activities. The mountain areas in August would give you warm & pleasant days with cool nights (Maine, Vermont, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, California, Idaho, Washington). You should be able to get clean lodging for $100-$75 - outside big cities that is. As far as cities go San Francisco is beautiful and there is so much to do and see nearby (Napa Valley & Yosemite)! <BR>I would also recommend Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Sawtooth, Rocky Mountain or Glacier National Parks for scenery, hiking, river rafting, horseback riding, fishing, stargazing, wildlife and the best weather. You can experience the true “west” but be prepared for crowds unless you get off the main roads. Book before January for lodging in or near the parks. Is camping an option? How long will you be here? Who is traveling with you? Women and/or men? As mentioned, more info will help us help you! <BR>

Hi CJK. August is the hottest month here. I live in Washington DC and the heat and humidity here in August can be wilting. However, I would still suggest you come here -- it's a wonderful city! August is also high tourist season in most of the country, with lots of families taking their annual vacations, so you will find more crowds at many tourist attractions than you will at other times of the year, as well as higher prices for many hotels. However, you can still find reasonable accommodations for under $100 in most parts of the country. You don't say what your situation is with regard to transportation -- e.g. can you fly into one city and out of another? Ideally, with one month, I would divide my time between the east and west coasts of the country. The coast of Maine is gorgeous, and the weather in August is cooler than much of the rest of the country. Explore Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park for a few days. Then drive down the east coast and spend 3 days each in Boston, New York, and Washington DC -- three wonderful and very different cities, each with excellent restaurants and lots to see and do. Actually, you would not need a car for the Boston-DC-New York leg of the trip, as they are all served by rail and all have good public transportation systems. From Washington DC I would fly to San Francisco (great ethnic restaurants, lots to see and do, plus a physically beautiful city), spend several days there, then rent a car and spend several days in Yosemite National Park and several more exploring the Big Sur coast. That would pretty much eat up the 2 weeks out west.

Knowing nothing about whether you will have a car, what you like, etc., I'd suggest the following as an excellent overview of the best the US has to offer (in August)from wset to east: <BR>San Francisco/Redwoods <BR>Yosemite <BR>Lake Tahoe <BR>Southern California (Newport, La Jolla, etc.) <BR>Sedona/Grand Canyon <BR>Zion/Bryce National Parks in Utah <BR>Santa Fe/Taos <BR>Rocky Mountains (National Park, Aspen) <BR>Chicago <BR>Washington DC <BR>Boston <BR>New York <BR>Maine coast (Acadia National Park) <BR> <BR>(if it weren't summer I'd include Charleston SC, Florida) <BR>

Hi cjk- August is very hot in the south and eastern U.S. My suggestion is for you to visit San Francisco. It is American's number one travel destination. You will love San Francisco. It is mostly foggy in June and July, but August is wonderful. I go to San Francisco as often as I can. Have a great trip and welcome!

Firstly id like to say thanks a million for your help!!! I will be 20 when travelling to the US. Ive heard San Francisco is THE place to visit in the US so I would be interested in going there. I would like to split my holiday between city and countryside because Ive heard your countryside is AMAZING!!. Im not 100% sure exactly where I will go but I know for sure its the US Im headed for. I like colonial history rather than civil war stuff because I dont know too much about it, I love museums and would love to see the Gugenheim (???) museum of modern Art in NY. Im trying to be specific here but its such a big place that its difficult to pinpoint a particular location. I will be travelling alone and so I think Ill go for Hostel accommodation rather than Hotels. Are the Hostels similar to in Europe or better/worse? I definetly NEED to visit the State where the sun shines most because your lucky if it gets to 20 degrees in Ireland during the summer months and its now below freezing as we speak!!! Thanks again for all your help, Talk to you soon!!

CJK: <BR>If you really love museums, want to see the countryside and have an interest in colonial history, I'd try to focus your trip on two areas, northern California and New England with a side trip to NY. <BR>I'd fly into NY, visit the Guggenheim and any other local sites that appeal, ride up to Boston, then travel into some of America's most beautiful rural areas in Vermont and New Hampshire, which are close and very convenient by car, with excellent, easily navigated roads. I'd then head west to SF. After a few days in the Bay Area, I'd make every effort to get a car and drive over to Lake Tahoe and if time permitted,along the coast down to Big Sur. I think you can experience more variety and see more beautiful scenery without excessive driving in these two areas (NY/New England and northern Calif.)than anyplace else in the US.