Which State? HELP you lot.
 

Hi Everybody <BR>I'm not sure if any of you lot out there can help me here, but I am trying to decide which area of the U.S.A to go for our holidays this year. <BR> <BR>My husband and I are both in our early 30s, with no kids and from the U.K. Last in May we went to Florida and loved it,(by the way we do fly-drives)we spent a few days in Orlando, then went to the Gulf Coast and various other places. In September '98 we went to San Diego for our Honeymoon and drove up the coast as far as Monterey, this holiday was fantastic to. <BR> <BR>So this year we cant decide whether to go back to Florida or try somewhere else! <BR> <BR>We both enjoy the outdoors,hiking,watersports,tourist attractions,visiting towns etc. <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance.

Arizona and Utah. <BR>Visit the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Lake Powell, Tucson, Zion NP and Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands NP and even Las vegas. Lots of driving, but unbelievably beautiful scenery and the freedom and majesty of the natural, unpopulated wide open spaces

I'd have to throw in a vote for Northern <BR>California for its beaches, redwood groves, wineries, mountains and fertile valleys. Be sure to visit San Francisco, Yosemite National Park if going to Northern California. I'd allow 10-12 days for this if you have the time. In San Francisco resides the largest Chinese community outside the Orient. You will, of course, appreciate fresh seafood all over the coast if that's your flavor. <BR>

P.S.-What's a fly-drive? We Yanks don't use that one... <BR>

My favorite states to visit are wyoming and montana. No farther west though. To me, these are the most beautiful states in America. I wish I could spend the whole sum. months there. I haven't experienced the tourist traps there that I have in Oregon. A lot of wide-open country for hiking,fishing, camping or just enjoying the scenery.

Hi, Nic, <BR>September again or some other month? <BR>Here are some suggestions: <BR>1. Washington DC-NYC-Boston-New England. Best in the autumn. Both Washington DC and New York are must-sees for European visitors IMO. Separate car hire periods - Washington DC area up to the Appalachian Mts., then train to NYC and Boston, then car hire to explore rural New England (New Hampshire, Maine, western Mass.) <BR>2. The southwest as Ferdie suggests. Not mid-winter, as the high elevations can get very cold and snowy. <BR>3. Northern Pacific coast: Start in Vancouver BC and work south, ending in San Francisco. Visit Vancouver, Seattle, Cascade and Olympic Mts., Columbia Gorge, Oregon coast, Redwoods. <BR>4. The big one - hire a car in NYC and leave it in Seattle or San Francisco. Driving across the continent is an awesome experience. Needs a minimum of 3 weeks to do it properly, more time is better.

Nic, <BR>If you are going in September I , too, would recommend New England and the Eastern shoreline. Beautiful scenery, rocky beaches, great food, many places of historical interest. A friend of mine from London visited the area last October and loved it. <BR> <BR>Michele

If you love the outdoors--especially alpine beauty--then it doesn't get any better than the Canadian Rockies. It is simply awesome! Being from Europe, you may have been to the Alps, which is incredible no doubt, but in Canada you can't beat the beauty combined with the wildlife. I was in Jasper National Park 3 yrs ago and it was unimaginable beauty everywhere. 1000 lb. elk all over the place, Big Horn sheep, mountain goats, etc. Not to mention the Canadians themselves, who are extremely friendly and always very helpful. <BR> <BR>

I would have to second the nomination for the Canadian Rockies -- Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper. It is breathtakingly gorgeous, people are very friendly, the hiking is incredible, and accommodations and food tend to be less expensive than much of the U.S. <BR> <BR>My second choice would be the coast of Maine -- again, beautiful scenery with the rocky coastline, quaint towns with inns and bed-and-breakfasts, fantastic lobster at low prices, and some very good hiking in Acadia National Park. My favorite two towns in Maine are Camden and Bar Harbor. <BR> <BR>Also, if you haven't been to Key West in Florida yet, that's really neat too.

hi chris <BR> <BR>Just to let you know a fly-drive is the term used for a holiday when you just want the flight and car hire. Although we normally book them seperately as we like to travel independently. Travel companies will sell you a 'fly-drive' package. <BR>

Dear Everybody <BR> <BR>Thanks very much for your suggestions so far. The months we are looking to go would be possibly September although I'm not sure if I am leaving it abit late for then, October or November if we were visiting Florida. Where ever we go it will be for 2 weeks.

Since you mentioned outdoors and hiking, and you'll be visiting during September, I second the vote for the Southwest (Grand Canyon, Bryce, etc). Absolutely stunning scenery, like NOTHING you'll see in Britain. <BR> <BR>If the northern Rockies are more what you're looking for, I'd recommend Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier Nat Park. I absolutely love Banff, but I MUCH prefer Yellowstone!!

As a midwesterner, I have to put my 2 cents in for the circle tour of Lake Superior. September/October are a BEAUTIFUL time of year with the fall foliage. There are Waterfalls, hiking trails, the Soo Locks (Ste. St. Marie Ontario/Michigan, gorgeous views in Michigan, and you can take a jaunt to Door County, WI where they have lots of shops -- prime tourist time there in Oct./Nov. I would start out in Minneapolis, MN if you want a MAJOR airport, but you'd save a 2 hour drive if you fly straight into Duluth, MN (right at the tip of Lake Superior). There are day cruises on Lake Superior from various locations, and a cruise to different lighthouses from Bayfield, WI. You can take the huge Alpine Slide in Lutsen, MN and hike next to Gooseberry Falls... You should be able to find info on the internet if you do a search for Lake Superior Circle Tour or the like. Email me if you'd like more info...

What about Texas? <BR> <BR>September is a good month to visit since the weather will have cooled off and there will be lots of outdoor festivals and fairs to visit. <BR> <BR>The Texas Hill Country is loaded with outdoor fun. There are several nice State Parks where you could camp or day hike. There are also lots of cute little B&Bs in the Hill Country towns: Llano, Fredricksburg, Gruene, Boerne, etc. <BR> <BR>Austin, the capital of Texas, is well known for its local music scene and outdoor activities along the Lake. <BR> <BR>San Antonio has the famous Riverwalk, plus the historic missions and rich Mexican heritage. <BR> <BR>Visit www.traveltex.com for more info! Or feel free to email me. <BR>

Having recently returned (to the US) from Europe, several trips over the past few years, I am more and more amazed at the diversity of the US every time I come home. I hate to sound like the 'ugly American' but this is really, truly an amazing place to have the good fortune to live in. Unfortunately, I think it's human nature to take things for granted, and you don't really appreciate all that we have here until you leave. <BR>I'll get off my "Green Acres--Eddie Albert" soapbox now (for those who remember that corny show) and offer some advice to nic: <BR>All the best places have been mentioned. <BR>They include New England in the fall, the desert and canyon southwest, northern Rockies, and the District of Columbia area. (nic says they already visited Monterey, CA, so I'm eliminating the SF Bay area from my list. <BR>I think the top two are New England and the southwest. Both offer great diversity, outdoor activities, beautiful drives. <BR>

Dear JJ <BR>Thanks for your info. I have been thinking of New England for our holiday, Is that where everybody goes to do their 'leaf-peeping' or whatever its called. Is this peak season time? What is the weather like in September and October as far as temperature and rainfall? <BR> <BR>Thanks again for your help.

We've done the leaf-peeping thing three times in the past 10 years. September and October (early OCT) are beautiful months overall. Warm days, crisp, cool evenings on average. Lots of destinations to choose from. If you like nice lodgings, though, they tend to book up very early. On one occasion I was shut out trying to make a reservation 8 months in advance at a favorite hotel, but that's an exception. <BR> <BR>Our favorite trip destinations include (in no particular order): <BR>touring the Green Mountains (southwest VT) <BR>Woodstock, VT <BR>Middlebury, VT <BR>Burlington, VT and Lake Champlain <BR>White Mountains in northern NH <BR>Acadia National Park in Maine <BR>Kennebunkport, MN <BR>Adirondack Mountains in NY <BR>lodges in the area around Lake Placid (not the town itself) <BR>Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, MA <BR>Berkshire Mountain area in western MA <BR>(Technically the last few aren't in New England, but they're all close) <BR>Lots and lots of hiking and lake-ocean activities in all these areas. <BR>Choosing where to go is the difficult part. So many choices. <BR>Rain has never been a problem on our trips and isn't a factor in planning. Day temps vary from northern Maine down to Massachusetts and Sept vs. Oct, of course, but generally run low 60's to low 70's. Nights can be in low 40's. For specifics, check weather underground's site or intellicast.com. <BR>Let us know if you want more specific info.

ooops....Maine is ME not MN (used to live there, just came out on its own)

Thanks everybody for all your suggestions. It has been very helpful although at the moment I am still in several minds of where to go. I am busy reading up in my guide books trying to get a broader picture of some of the places mentioned. <BR> <BR>Thanks again <BR>nic

If you are seriously considering new england, perhaps we can trade info. I'm in Boston. Best time to visit New England is late September. The weather is great, and the crowds have thinned out. as mentioned earlier, you should not miss ACADIA National Park on the coast of Maine, approximately 5 hours drive from Boston, stopping at towns along the maine coast. <BR>