USA Holiday *Opinions & Suggestions Wanted*

Wahesh

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Hiya folks,

Next year, the USA is calling my name. I recently saw a great deal from Contiki that pretty goes from Coast to Coast, LA, Vegas, everything between on the way to Miami, then up to the big apple. However this requires me to start in LA and then when I hit NY, fly back down to LA, then back to Sydney.

Now I was recently thinking that it might be better to do it the other way, fly to LA, then fly to NY, START there, and make my way down to Miami, then over to LA (bus tour of course, everything in terms of travel and accommodation is already taken care of, plus it's a way to meet people).

I can't seem to find that reverse route though, and I would prefer not to take Contiki because it's generally a younger crowd and I'll be the oldest guy there. I'm happy to go on a tour that's more a mix.

I'm after something that will take approximately 4 weeks give or take because I'm aware that is how long it will take. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience?
 

Hacky McAxe

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Figure out how much time you want in New York then double it. New York takes a lot of time to see even a little bit of it.

Think about how much time you want to spend in LA then scrap that. LA is a shit hole.

There is some good parts of LA but the tourist areas are shit. The hills and some suburbs are good but it's also very easy to accidentally cross into the wrong area.
 

K E

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As above.

LA is a boring, nothing to do shit hole. Anaheim is alright because it has Disneyland but LA itself is a toilet. Bunch of stars on the ground and $2 stores. Oh, and a bunch of, um, illegal immigrants dressed up as movie characters harrasing you for tips. "teep, señor".

Miama is over rated. Absolutely humid as hell. I'd put it in the same category as LA (boring) unless you're a fan of clubbing every night.

Vegas, ignore what people say about only needing a few days. Stay one week MINIMUM. I've been three times and I still haven't seen every casino. Great shows, great restaurants and great shopping. I hate shopping but I love shopping in Vegas.

I really enjoyed Arizona and Texas. I could see myself easily living in either state.

New York is my favourite place in the world. It's not cheap but stay there as long as you can. Aim for a minimum of ten days.
 

Wahesh

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Ok I think something I've said have been misinterpreted so I'll elaborate a little...

I don't want to see LA itself, but most coast to coast tours either start or end there and in addition, all flights from Sydney stop in LA. In LA the only thing I want to do is visit Universal Studios so I can see the Fast & Furious cars. I'd also like to see the Hot Wheels factory if I get the chance to. Apart from that, I know that LA is a cesspool of a city which I have absolutely no desire to see.

I don't really care too much for Florida, however I wouldn't mind just going there and see a few things. I want to see Orlando, Daytona Beach and Tampa Bay more than Miami, but I doubt that Tampa Bay and Daytona will be on the tour. I just want to see what the locals there do for fun. Also a few movies I like have been set down there so it would be good to see just as a one-off.

New York is a city I wouldn't want to spend more than 5 days in, and the reason for that... noise. The traffic, horns and sirens will drive me insane with about 5 days. I seriously hear a horn here in Sydney and I get pissed off... I can't imagine staying there for more than 5 days without losing my mind.

I will see a few things in Vegas but FFS when you've seen one Casino you've seen them all. Again the Vegas leg of the trip for me will be about shopping more than anything because I want to see the worlds biggest watch shop. Yes drink, party and gamble no doubt, but come on, we're talking about a city in the middle of the desert.

Any tour group recommendations?
 
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dekepefc

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I've been to a heap of places in the u.s.a.. it would depend on what you're interested in and what time of year you're going but I'd definitely agree most of l.a is shit. You've only spoke about cities but do yourself a massive favour and dont miss their national parks. Some of them are really amazing.. if I was you I'd fly into san Fran, after a few days drive to yosemite, then vegas. Check out Zion and grand canyonwhile you're over that way then fly across to the east coast and check out NYC (1 week minimum) definately check out Boston (my fav u.s city) and maybe Washington DC.. once you fly back to the west coast I'd stay in san diego over l.a. before flying home just to break up the travel time a bit..
 

Smartseal

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Ok I think something I've said have been misinterpreted so I'll elaborate a little...
Any tour group recommendations?
Hang out on the streets of Miami, you might score a bang bros bus tour
 

Hacky McAxe

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New York is a city I wouldn't want to spend more than 5 days in, and the reason for that... noise. The traffic, horns and sirens will drive me insane about 5 days. I seriously hear a horn here in Sydney and I get pissed off... I can't imagine staying there for more than 5 days without losing my mind.
We stayed in Long Island City while there. LIC and Astoria are dead quiet and they're a 10 minute train ride to Manhattan. I'd highly recommend staying there.
 

Hacky McAxe

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Also, we spent a week in Vegas and went to maybe 5 casinos and barely gambled at all. Gambling and Casinos is only a small part of Vegas. There's shit loads of things to do there.
 
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Hacky McAxe

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Other than LIC and Astoria, Brooklyn is beautiful and it's also a short trip across the bridge from Manhattan.

Plus, Brooklyn and Astoria have some of the best food you'll find in America.
 

Hacky McAxe

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Keep in mind that everything you see in Vegas in movies is based around the Strip. If you leave the strip you have some beautiful towns up north with different cultures, there's the obvious shopping, you can drive a tank or shoot a chain gun, and the tours of death Valley are excellent. Plus there's the dam tours, the live shows, street side entertainment, amazing food, lots of weird places to drink (go to a salon. They serve you drinks while cutting your hair)

Vegas is just full of so much to do.
 

Hacky McAxe

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Also, a couple of things you've probably heard before but:

- tax: always be wary of it. As Australians we're accustom to being taxed, but we're straight forward with tax. In America you can order a meal that will be $6, then when you get the bill you'll see 3 different types of tax putting up to $10. And tax varies per state so you never really know how much you'll pay for something

- tipping: always tip at bars and restaurants. Standard tipping for bars is $1 per drink. Food varies from 15% to 20% but you can tip more if you really want. Never tip takeaway. If you're paying for an order and collecting it yourself, even if you're eating it at the establishment, if no one is bringing the food to you then don't tip

- most importantly, TV and movies are wrong about everything. Nowhere in America is like it is on TV. New York for example, you can walk through central Park or Harlem in the middle of the night and no one will bother you. And Vegas, not a single Mafioso in sight. So disappointing.
 

dekepefc

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My girlfriend and I were in a pub in hong kong and met an American guy who said he grew up in suburban Manhattan. Anyone who has been there knows he's a fucking liar and grew up in some ritzy town home on the upper east or west side... lucky bastard
 

Hacky McAxe

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Manhattan is a funny one. Back in the 80s/90s it was a shit hole. Crime Capital of the world. Then 9/11 happened. Mayor Giuliani convinced the whole city to come together as one for each other. In a few years NYC/Manhattan converted from drug and crime capital to a city where everyone is friendly and it's a great place to live.

Of course this had an added effect of raising the cost of living in the city. So all the crime moved to Newark/Jersey area.
 

Sandra's Bollocks

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As above.

LA is a boring, nothing to do shit hole. Anaheim is alright because it has Disneyland but LA itself is a toilet. Bunch of stars on the ground and $2 stores. Oh, and a bunch of, um, illegal immigrants dressed up as movie characters harrasing you for tips. "teep, señor".

Miama is over rated. Absolutely humid as hell. I'd put it in the same category as LA (boring) unless you're a fan of clubbing every night.

Vegas, ignore what people say about only needing a few days. Stay one week MINIMUM. I've been three times and I still haven't seen every casino. Great shows, great restaurants and great shopping. I hate shopping but I love shopping in Vegas.

I really enjoyed Arizona and Texas. I could see myself easily living in either state.

New York is my favourite place in the world. It's not cheap but stay there as long as you can. Aim for a minimum of ten days.
I came here to say exactly this, except for Az and Tx, i haven't been there yet.
 

Mr Invisible

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Tour every place on GTA San Andreas :D

Hire a car and do Route 66, or a cross USA adventure :D
 

K E

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I came here to say exactly this, except for Az and Tx, i haven't been there yet.
Oh, man. I absolutely love those states and I hate the heat.

Sedona in Arizona is insane.
 

bulldogsfan_88

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Tour every place on GTA San Andreas :D

Hire a car and do Route 66, or a cross USA adventure :D
Route 66 is an incredible way to see America. Me and a mate did it a few years ago and is the best holiday I have been on. Loved Arizona and Chicago is one of my favourite cities. St Louis is incredible too.
 

Mr Invisible

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I normally take long holidays and plan things to the 'nth degree.

If I was ever doing USA (keep in mind I have no idea about the USA, never been there, and only seen /read things) this is how my trip would look:

Flying into Austin Texas, travel from there down to the deep south and check out Louisiana and New Orleans culture, before heading over to Miami.
From there heading north to Washington and New York to see the touristy things (including Alcatraz).
Through Ohio and Kentucky to Nashville and Tennesse to see another side of the USA.
From there to Missouri picking up Route 66 and heading to Arizona via Roswell New Mexico for alien stuff.
From Arizona heading to Las Vegas and north to Salt Lake City (I think thats where the salt flats are). Along the way checking out Grand Canyon.
MAYBE head up to Seattle (the home of grunge), before heading back via Reno to San Francisco.
From there check out California, before finishing in San Diego.

upload_2019-3-10_22-26-27.png
 

dekepefc

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I normally take long holidays and plan things to the 'nth degree.

If I was ever doing USA (keep in mind I have no idea about the USA, never been there, and only seen /read things) this is how my trip would look:

Flying into Austin Texas, travel from there down to the deep south and check out Louisiana and New Orleans culture, before heading over to Miami.
From there heading north to Washington and New York to see the touristy things (including Alcatraz).
Through Ohio and Kentucky to Nashville and Tennesse to see another side of the USA.
From there to Missouri picking up Route 66 and heading to Arizona via Roswell New Mexico for alien stuff.
From Arizona heading to Las Vegas and north to Salt Lake City (I think thats where the salt flats are). Along the way checking out Grand Canyon.
MAYBE head up to Seattle (the home of grunge), before heading back via Reno to San Francisco.
From there check out California, before finishing in San Diego.

View attachment 9350
I just got back from ohio.. my mum has moved there from Colorado.. I'd recommend skipping it.
 

Hacky McAxe

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I normally take long holidays and plan things to the 'nth degree.

If I was ever doing USA (keep in mind I have no idea about the USA, never been there, and only seen /read things) this is how my trip would look:

Flying into Austin Texas, travel from there down to the deep south and check out Louisiana and New Orleans culture, before heading over to Miami.
From there heading north to Washington and New York to see the touristy things (including Alcatraz).
Through Ohio and Kentucky to Nashville and Tennesse to see another side of the USA.
From there to Missouri picking up Route 66 and heading to Arizona via Roswell New Mexico for alien stuff.
From Arizona heading to Las Vegas and north to Salt Lake City (I think thats where the salt flats are). Along the way checking out Grand Canyon.
MAYBE head up to Seattle (the home of grunge), before heading back via Reno to San Francisco.
From there check out California, before finishing in San Diego.

View attachment 9350
May be a bit difficult to see Alcatraz from New York considering that it's on the other side of America
 
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