USA Holiday *Opinions & Suggestions Wanted*

Hacky McAxe

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Also should point out that Salt Lake City is a whole. My mate lives there. Literally the only reason to go there is if you're Mormon. Which he is.

And it's literally a whole. It's a crater surrounded by rock walls.
 

Wahesh

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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..
I actually want to see Yosemite - that was on the original tour I saw.

 

Wahesh

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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.
I want to visit Death Valley. However... doesn't it hit like 45 degrees there in Summer? I'm thinking of going in June lol.
 

Wahesh

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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.
Brooklyn was the place I was thinking of staying. Queens and Manhattan hotels will rip you off lol.
 

Wahesh

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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
Dude a holiday of that magnitude would be awesome, but if you're planning on driving it, that will take at least 6 weeks I reckon (not to mention an arm and a leg in fuel and accommodation).
 

Mr Invisible

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Dude a holiday of that magnitude would be awesome, but if you're planning on driving it, that will take at least 6 weeks I reckon (not to mention an arm and a leg in fuel and accommodation).
You could probably fly to the important areas and car from there. Twas just an example of what I'd visit if I was looking to cover the USA (as a noob with no idea about tourist must sees).
 

CroydonDog

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As someone who has been to Los Angeles twice, when people say that the play is a "shithole" they either haven't been there and are going with the crowd, or haven't looked hard enough TBH.

It's not somewhere you would spend loner than a few days, but there is plenty of things to enjoy - just depends on what you're into. (And i have no interest in Disneyland, although I did enjoy my day at Universal Studios).
 

Hacky McAxe

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As someone who has been to Los Angeles twice, when people say that the play is a "shithole" they either haven't been there and are going with the crowd, or haven't looked hard enough TBH.

It's not somewhere you would spend loner than a few days, but there is plenty of things to enjoy - just depends on what you're into. (And i have no interest in Disneyland, although I did enjoy my day at Universal Studios).
There are good areas but you need to know where to go. The tourist areas are absolutely shit. The beaches are good but they're nothing compared to Australian beaches.

The hills and northern suburbs are good.
 

Precise

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As someone who has been to Los Angeles twice, when people say that the play is a "shithole" they either haven't been there and are going with the crowd, or haven't looked hard enough TBH.

It's not somewhere you would spend loner than a few days, but there is plenty of things to enjoy - just depends on what you're into. (And i have no interest in Disneyland, although I did enjoy my day at Universal Studios).
I visit the states yearly pretty burned out on the place at the moment, outside this year leave for europe in a month for 4 months. But generally LA is a shithole, its a bit of an eye opener for those visiting for the first time stepping off the plane picking up the rental car very first service station tellers are behind bullet proof glass. Also remember when you rent a car you have to prepay before filling up, I've found this applies everywhere in the states. A bit annoying when you're trying to refill when returning, but you can go back in and get cash back. San fran is pretty dumpy to. I agree with Universal but I love Universal over Disney, Universal Miami is awesome.

If you're renting a car, use this https://turo.com/ Allows you to rent big V8's for cheap and I always go this route when driving to Vegas. There's a tone to do in Vegas even if you don't gamble, and be wary of staying places to short a time because you'll feel constantly on the move. A week in Vegas for sure.

New York for the first timer is a must of at least a week minimum also, it's an amazing city but again don't worry about the piles of trash everywhere that's just normal without a modern garbage collections system. There is just so much to do, walk the old city tram line, explore central park, there's always comedy shows nightly it's a blast. Don't get scammed by any taxi or ubers at the airport. Get into a yellow sticker-ed taxi at the airport they have flat rates and the cheapest.

I loved Miami just for the theme parks, but these are several hours outside of the actual Miami city. I've only done Miami once and it was for spring break 3 years ago or so? And spent 10 days there. But unless you're clubbing nightly might be wise to skip.

If you're looking at using up 4 weeks I would probably go Hawaii (beautiful fun to do), Vegas, New York and Cuba before flying back. There's flights to Cuba easily now and it's on my bucket list before it changes to much. The U.S is very much alike to Australia, once you've visited one capital here and there they are all very similar experiences nothing ground breaking. The southern and northern states outside of tourist areas would be great to sight see but you're then talking 3 months with a car etc and exploring the entire country.

--

So personal opinion think outside the box a little, Hawaii, Vegas, New York, Cuba. And you will have had an awesome experience and seen a lot of what the best the U.S has to offer.
 

Wahesh

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I visit the states yearly pretty burned out on the place at the moment, outside this year leave for europe in a month for 4 months. But generally LA is a shithole, its a bit of an eye opener for those visiting for the first time stepping off the plane picking up the rental car very first service station tellers are behind bullet proof glass. Also remember when you rent a car you have to prepay before filling up, I've found this applies everywhere in the states. A bit annoying when you're trying to refill when returning, but you can go back in and get cash back. San fran is pretty dumpy to. I agree with Universal but I love Universal over Disney, Universal Miami is awesome.

If you're renting a car, use this https://turo.com/ Allows you to rent big V8's for cheap and I always go this route when driving to Vegas. There's a tone to do in Vegas even if you don't gamble, and be wary of staying places to short a time because you'll feel constantly on the move. A week in Vegas for sure.

New York for the first timer is a must of at least a week minimum also, it's an amazing city but again don't worry about the piles of trash everywhere that's just normal without a modern garbage collections system. There is just so much to do, walk the old city tram line, explore central park, there's always comedy shows nightly it's a blast. Don't get scammed by any taxi or ubers at the airport. Get into a yellow sticker-ed taxi at the airport they have flat rates and the cheapest.

I loved Miami just for the theme parks, but these are several hours outside of the actual Miami city. I've only done Miami once and it was for spring break 3 years ago or so? And spent 10 days there. But unless you're clubbing nightly might be wise to skip.

If you're looking at using up 4 weeks I would probably go Hawaii (beautiful fun to do), Vegas, New York and Cuba before flying back. There's flights to Cuba easily now and it's on my bucket list before it changes to much. The U.S is very much alike to Australia, once you've visited one capital here and there they are all very similar experiences nothing ground breaking. The southern and northern states outside of tourist areas would be great to sight see but you're then talking 3 months with a car etc and exploring the entire country.

--

So personal opinion think outside the box a little, Hawaii, Vegas, New York, Cuba. And you will have had an awesome experience and seen a lot of what the best the U.S has to offer.
Love this post mate, very informative :grinning:
 

Precise

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Love this post mate, very informative :grinning:
Any specific questions just ask, it's hard to tell what other people would like without knowing them personally but you'll love everything the first time around. Just be prepared for shoes off when catching any flights in the U.S to so wear decent socks lol.
 
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Wahesh

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Any specific questions just ask, it's hard to tell what other people would like without knowing them personally but you'll love everything the first time around. Just be prepared for shoes off when catching any flights in the U.S to so wear decent socks lol.
Wtf? Gee-up surely??
 

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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.
East LA is a no go zone though.. My hubby tried to get a cabbie to take him through there but nobody was willing to do it.
 

Hacky McAxe

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East LA is a no go zone though.. My hubby tried to get a cabbie to take him through there but nobody was willing to do it.
Yeah. There's certain areas in LA that you avoid at all costs.
 

dekepefc

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Places I've been on my trips to u.s.a and a quick assessment on each...

Los angeles - its massive. universal studios good, however most attractions are over hyped. Didnt mind santa Monica beach. L.a is close to Anaheim (south). Santa Barbara is a nice day trip to the north.

San diego - I really like it and think its worth a few days. Dont bother with sea world though as not even as good as sea world gold coast (other than killer whales).

San Francisco- I rate it for a visit. Alcatraz is a must. Theres a heap of homeless but it's a pretty city and very unique. Its also a close drive down to carmel or across to yosemite.

Las vegas - just go. You will love it or hate it, but just dont think it's all casinos. Use it as a base then go explore grand canyon, Zion, even Hoover dam.

Denver/Colorado. - Colorado is one of the prettiest states in usa. Denver is a chilled city with craft breweries and pot joints now, but denver isnt the highlight in this state. All through the rockies you will find really scenic towns and heaps of outdoor activities (hiking, mountain biking white water rafting or if in winter skiing etc). Think a new Zealand advertisement then up the beauty a few notches and u have Colorado.

Santa fe New Mexico - pretty cool for a short visit. The whole city is full of Spanish buildings. Fairly popular for arty types. Very unique.

Yellowstone national park. Amazing place. Need a few days there to take it in. Stay on Montana side entrance to park.

Wyoming - skip other than grand teton national park.

Idaho - skip

Utah - amazing national parks. I really liked arches national park but they have quite a few spread out over the state (Zion, Bryce, monument).

Ohio - skip

NYC- 1 week minimum. No explanation needed for NYC.

Boston - my fav city. Easy to get around, plenty of history, pretty city, friendly locals.
 

Wahesh

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Places I've been on my trips to u.s.a and a quick assessment on each...

Los angeles - its massive. universal studios good, however most attractions are over hyped. Didnt mind santa Monica beach. L.a is close to Anaheim (south). Santa Barbara is a nice day trip to the north.

San diego - I really like it and think its worth a few days. Dont bother with sea world though as not even as good as sea world gold coast (other than killer whales).

San Francisco- I rate it for a visit. Alcatraz is a must. Theres a heap of homeless but it's a pretty city and very unique. Its also a close drive down to carmel or across to yosemite.

Las vegas - just go. You will love it or hate it, but just dont think it's all casinos. Use it as a base then go explore grand canyon, Zion, even Hoover dam.

Denver/Colorado. - Colorado is one of the prettiest states in usa. Denver is a chilled city with craft breweries and pot joints now, but denver isnt the highlight in this state. All through the rockies you will find really scenic towns and heaps of outdoor activities (hiking, mountain biking white water rafting or if in winter skiing etc). Think a new Zealand advertisement then up the beauty a few notches and u have Colorado.

Santa fe New Mexico - pretty cool for a short visit. The whole city is full of Spanish buildings. Fairly popular for arty types. Very unique.

Yellowstone national park. Amazing place. Need a few days there to take it in. Stay on Montana side entrance to park.

Wyoming - skip other than grand teton national park.

Idaho - skip

Utah - amazing national parks. I really liked arches national park but they have quite a few spread out over the state (Zion, Bryce, monument).

Ohio - skip

NYC- 1 week minimum. No explanation needed for NYC.

Boston - my fav city. Easy to get around, plenty of history, pretty city, friendly locals.
Thanks a lot mate, will definitely take this all on board. Just with Ohio, you mentioned to skip this one. What was the problem with it?
 

dekepefc

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Thanks a lot mate, will definitely take this all on board. Just with Ohio, you mentioned to skip this one. What was the problem with it?
There just isnt much to see there.. mind you I only really saw Cleveland, an amish town and areas that tourists wouldnt really visit, so I cant comment on Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo or Sandusky.. I still managed to have a good time cause I was with family but it's not somewhere I would choose to go back to if it wasnt for them. Not heaps to do. Google ohio attractions and you will probably be unimpressed after the first few..
 
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