US of A help please

[monkie]

Hi Everyone,

My work have offered me and my wife Business Class tickets to the states and we were thinking about going next year in say Oct or November.

We were looking at going for about 4 weeks as this will be our first time to the US and I think that should be a good amount of time.

So here is the run down.

We are looking at going to the following locations

• New York about 1 week
• LA - about 1 week
• Miami & maybe Orlando - about 1 week
• Vegas - 3 days
• and possibly DC - 2 days

we usually go on holidays to Asia/Pacific and have already been to the following if you could compare prices (food and Accommodation)

• Thailand - 3 times both Bangkok and Phuket
• Malaysia - 3 times KL and Panang
• Vietnam - Saigon and Da Nang/Hoi An
• Singapore - 2 times
• Fiji - 2 times
• All of Australia
• NZ - Lived there

What we need help with is the following

• Where to stay in the locations we are looking at?
• Is there place we should not bother with to give more time in the other locations?
• What kind of price are we looking at for accommodation $100 night $200 etc looking at about a 4+ Star?
• Where to eat any special resturant diners worth going to?
• Where to shop? best deals
• Disneyland or Disney world (Orlando or Anaheim)?
• What kind of Tips do you give?
• I have heard of factory shopping on the way to Vegas from LA is it any good?
• Drive or Fly to Vegas from LA?

Any other useful info would be greatly appreciated

Thanks heaps guys can not wait to come over and see your beautiful country

[ahausheer]

Where to stay, try Holiday Inn, it is decent, nice and clean perhaps they are a 3.5 stars. Perhaps 100 dollars a night depending on location. Sign up for their rewards program at the check in desk (its free and they never send out emails) and get free upgrades to suites if they are available. 3 days in Vegas is definable plenty unless you have a lot of money and do lots of drugs. Restaurants are up for debate but I personally seem to agree with Zagat.com. ( I like Outback Steakhouse and Panera Bread Co) Just ask around in each city and you will likely be overwhelmed by the amazing options. That's one thing about America, ALL the ridiculous number of options on everything, you can get whatever you want, wherever you are, (as long as that's a big city), you can find the best restaurants in the fanciest locations or little mom and pops stores that make amazing food. Where to shop, jeez, all my Swedish relatives shop everywhere because everything is cheaper here, again ask around, there is high end and low end retail often in the same shopping center. Tipping, 10 to 25 percent of the pretax amount depending on the quality of service, 15-20 % is more typical. Factory shopping between LA to Vegas is overrated, its no secret, and millions of people pass by there every year thus the prices are not that low, you can probably find a similar price in LA or Vegas if you look. From Vegas to LA driving can take 4.5 to 5.5 hours with no traffic, and up to 10 hours in bumper to bumper traffic (holidays and busy Sunday afternoons). Fly if you can its probably only 50-100 dollars more than gas and rental car price. There are about a million taxis in Vegas and there is a very efficient and cheap Monorail in Vegas.

100 people traveling to the same places in American will have 100 different experiences. We have the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor. it really will be what you make of it and who you meet.

[sho220]

Originally Posted by monkie

Hi Everyone,

My work have offered me and my wife Business Class tickets to the states and we were thinking about going next year in say Oct or November.

We were looking at going for about 4 weeks as this will be our first time to the US and I think that should be a good amount of time.

So here is the run down.

We are looking at going to the following locations

• New York about 1 week
• LA - about 1 week
• Miami & maybe Orlando - about 1 week
• Vegas - 3 days
• and possibly DC - 2 days

we usually go on holidays to Asia/Pacific and have already been to the following if you could compare prices (food and Accommodation)

• Thailand - 3 times both Bangkok and Phuket
• Malaysia - 3 times KL and Panang
• Vietnam - Saigon and Da Nang/Hoi An
• Singapore - 2 times
• Fiji - 2 times
• All of Australia
• NZ - Lived there

What we need help with is the following

• Where to stay in the locations we are looking at?
• Is there place we should not bother with to give more time in the other locations?
• What kind of price are we looking at for accommodation $100 night $200 etc looking at about a 4+ Star?
• Where to eat any special resturant diners worth going to?
• Where to shop? best deals
• Disneyland or Disney world (Orlando or Anaheim)?
• What kind of Tips do you give?
• I have heard of factory shopping on the way to Vegas from LA is it any good?
• Drive or Fly to Vegas from LA?

Any other useful info would be greatly appreciated

Thanks heaps guys can not wait to come over and see your beautiful country

If you're looking for the beautiful parts of our country, you missed the mark badly...Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Florida Keys, Niagara Falls, San Fran, Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, Moab, Alaska, Hawaii are all worth visiting.

New York smells like garbage. Orlando is like an open air prison. Vegas is cool if you're into gambling and whores. 2 days in DC would be plenty.

[monkie]

Thanks Ahausheer greatly apreciate your reply and all the info.

Was wondering on the traffic side driving to Vegas from LA on how much that would add to the travel time.

I see that you are in CA is there areas to stay in LA that would be best Hollywood in the city out by the beach

[monkie]

Originally Posted by sho220

If you're looking for the beautiful parts of our country, you missed the mark badly...Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Florida Keys, Niagara Falls, San Fran, Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, Moab, Alaska, Hawaii are all worth visiting.

New York smells like garbage. Orlando is like an open air prison. Vegas is cool if you're into gambling and whores. 2 days in DC would be plenty.

Thanks for the info Wife really wants to see New York out of the whole trip.

Vegas is to say we have been there. that is why 3 days would be Max

Have been thinking of San Fran but do not know too much about the place still researching it

In regards to all the natural beauty of the country as you have outlined the wife is not into the outdoors to much like bush walking camping etc.. so this is why these are not on the list for this trip. Would be defiantly an option when we have kids though.

[KAR]

alot of places to eat in NYC, but I love Jackson Hole Burgers, china town in NYC is great also, ill post more when the names comes to mind

[einzlr]

Originally Posted by monkie

Hi Everyone,

My work have offered me and my wife Business Class tickets to the states and we were thinking about going next year in say Oct or November.

We were looking at going for about 4 weeks as this will be our first time to the US and I think that should be a good amount of time.

So here is the run down.

We are looking at going to the following locations

• New York about 1 week
• LA - about 1 week
• Miami & maybe Orlando - about 1 week
• Vegas - 3 days
  
• and possibly DC - 2 days

Thanks heaps guys can not wait to come over and see your beautiful country

And I'd love to visit Oz some day too

Ok, so first thing to know is our cars are left hand drive and we drive on the right

If "possibly DC" becomes a certainty I can highly recommend visiting one or more of the Smithsonian museums. (Do your homework beforehand to avoid wasting time choosing which one and finding out how to get to it.) Last summer I got to visit the Air and Space museum and it every bit lived up to its reputation for being fascinating and well done. Space shuttle, Blackbird, concord, all manner of prop and jet engines, all with informative plaques and you can take a tour to get even more info.

Another thing to consider is instead of hopping by plane from one corner of the country to another (with the huge time loss getting to and from airports) you might instead want to rent a car and drive either across or up/down (e.g. between NY and FL).

And you might want to ask in the regional boards for recommendations for local restaurants, shops etc.

[monkie]

And I'd love to visit Oz some day too

You should let me know where you were thinking if you need any help

Ok, so first thing to know is our cars are left hand drive and we drive on the right

thanks for reminding me yeah the right but the wrong side

If "possibly DC" becomes a certainty I can highly recommend visiting one or more of the Smithsonian museums. (Do your homework beforehand to avoid wasting time choosing which one and finding out how to get to it.) Last summer I got to visit the Air and Space museum and it every bit lived up to its reputation for being fascinating and well done. Space shuttle, Blackbird, concord, all manner of prop and jet engines, all with informative plaques and you can take a tour to get even more info.

That sounds great my boss is a pilot and see his plane all the time and am always watching this sort of stuff on Discovery channel and nat geo

Another thing to consider is instead of hopping by plane from one corner of the country to another (with the huge time loss getting to and from airports) you might instead want to rent a car and drive either across or up/down (e.g. between NY and FL).

Was thinking of driving from NY to DC checked about driving from DC to Miami but seemed to take a long time maybe fly from NY to Dc so not so bad in traffic and we wont get lost and then drive from DC to Miami

How long would it take?

[cyrus]

NYC:

-Hotels: Club Quarters (Fantastic service without huge cost)
-Shopping: Century 21 during the week, Uniqlo, Fifth Avenue(if you have the budget) and Soho has some nice boutiques.
Woodbury Commons outlet is also outside the city which is a fantastic place for designer outlets. (Armani, Gucci, Ferragamo, Prada, YSL etc..)
-Dining: Da Silvano(Italian) Benjamin Steak House Guantanamara(Cuban) Please eat from the Halal food trucks as they are fantastic.

Vegas:

-Hotel: Stay at the MGM Signature (It's out of this world and not super busy like the main casinos on the strip)
-Shopping: Vegas has fantastic outlet shopping.
-Dining: Alize, Foundation Room

Miami:

-Hotel: I would stay on Collins near south beach at any boutique establishment.
-Shopping: Stick to the outlets in Vegas and NYC
-Dining: There is a fantastic hole in the wall sushi place near collins. Sophies has unbelievable cuban food.

LA and DC are overrated.

I would strongly advise you to visit San Francisco and take a tour through wine country. (Nappa)

Please also add Charleston, SC to your trip as it's an unbelievable place.

The cost of food and accommodations is significantly more pricey than the majority of asian cities that you have listed. Singapore has a slightly higher cost of living as opposed to the United States.

You will need to account 15-20% for gratuity at restaurants. You will also need to compensate valet drivers and bellmen. The normal rate is $3 per bag and $5-10 for valet.

[einzlr]

You should let me know where you were thinking if you need any help

Why thank you! I didn't have anything specific in mind but if I get to the point where it might become reality I'll for sure come asking you

thanks for reminding me yeah the right but the wrong side


That sounds great my boss is a pilot and see his plane all the time and am always watching this sort of stuff on Discovery channel and nat geo

Wow in that case it's almost obligatory for you! There are actually two Air and Space locations (didn't know that until we were there lol) - one in the city itself, the other on the outskirts. We were at the latter but they each have different exhibits and I myself for sure want to get back some day to visit the other (and some of the other Smithsonians as well).

Was thinking of driving from NY to DC checked about driving from DC to Miami but seemed to take a long time maybe fly from NY to Dc so not so bad in traffic and we wont get lost and then drive from DC to Miami

How long would it take?
That sounds like a good plan to me but I'll defer to someone from that side of the country (I'm way out west lol) to give you details. Offhand I'd guess that drive is somewhere in the 10-15hr range, but if it were me I'd stretch it out over a couple of days or so to visit small and large towns along the way and see the sights and interact with the people. I love the little "mini adventures" one finds on road trips, but that's just me

[ahausheer]

Again after 2 full days and nights in vegas you will be over it, but you gotta see it at least once, also there is a Ferrari museum/dealership at the Wynn hotel which is neat. Ive never really hit traffic going from LA to Vegas and it usually takes me about 5 hours. Its a 2 lane (each way) road and if you travel in the hot season you will usually see about 10 cars on the side of the road over-heated because they all drive fast with the AC on going up some very long and somewhat steep uphill sections so mind the engine a bit. I would allow 6 hours, but make sure to check the traffic online just before you leave because it can be very bad. Also remember, we Americans are lazy so if you leave early you should be ok. Not sure where you are from but if you are like most foreigners you will want to have a good couple days at the beach, weather permitting. The most beautiful beaches are in Laguna Beach, CA, particularly southern laguna. I would recommend 9th street beach as there are usually a few super hot chicks but there usually kinda bitchy. You gotta remember, our big cities here are like big cities anywhere, they suck, unless you really really love city life. I personally would go to the nature places mentioned a few posts up but I understand as a tourist you need to see the big cities and attractions at least once. On a personal note, San Fransisco was so boring ill never to go, back to each his own.

[sho220]

Originally Posted by ahausheer

Again after 2 full days and nights in vegas you will be over it, but you gotta see it at least once, also there is a Ferrari museum/dealership at the Wynn hotel which is neat. Ive never really hit traffic going from LA to Vegas and it usually takes me about 5 hours. Its a 2 lane (each way) road and if you travel in the hot season you will usually see about 10 cars on the side of the road over-heated because they all drive fast with the AC on going up some very long and somewhat steep uphill sections so mind the engine a bit. I would allow 6 hours, but make sure to check the traffic online just before you leave because it can be very bad. Also remember, we Americans are lazy so if you leave early you should be ok. Not sure where you are from but if you are like most foreigners you will want to have a good couple days at the beach, weather permitting. The most beautiful beaches are in Laguna Beach, CA, particularly southern laguna. I would recommend 9th street beach as there are usually a few super hot chicks but there usually kinda bitchy. You gotta remember, our big cities here are like big cities anywhere, they suck, unless you really really love city life. I personally would go to the nature places mentioned a few posts up but I understand as a tourist you need to see the big cities and attractions at least once. On a personal note, San Fransisco was so boring ill never to go, back to each his own.

Your walls of text are really hard to read...just a friendly fyi...

[monkie]

Originally Posted by ahausheer

Again after 2 full days and nights in vegas you will be over it, but you gotta see it at least once, also there is a Ferrari museum/dealership at the Wynn hotel which is neat. Ive never really hit traffic going from LA to Vegas and it usually takes me about 5 hours. Its a 2 lane (each way) road and if you travel in the hot season you will usually see about 10 cars on the side of the road over-heated because they all drive fast with the AC on going up some very long and somewhat steep uphill sections so mind the engine a bit. I would allow 6 hours, but make sure to check the traffic online just before you leave because it can be very bad. Also remember, we Americans are lazy so if you leave early you should be ok. Not sure where you are from but if you are like most foreigners you will want to have a good couple days at the beach, weather permitting. The most beautiful beaches are in Laguna Beach, CA, particularly southern laguna. I would recommend 9th street beach as there are usually a few super hot chicks but there usually kinda bitchy. You gotta remember, our big cities here are like big cities anywhere, they suck, unless you really really love city life. I personally would go to the nature places mentioned a few posts up but I understand as a tourist you need to see the big cities and attractions at least once. On a personal note, San Fransisco was so boring ill never to go, back to each his own.

Thanks for the reply from Australia was living on the Gold Coast and have been living in Darwin since the start of the year for my Wife's job temperature wise is around 34°c (94°f) during most of the year and goes up to and a bit over 42°c (110°f) in Summer here which is during your Winter don't rely use the Air-con at home even though it is in every room just used to the temperature and driving just for a bit then turn it off until it warms up then another blast

In regards to the beaches living on the Gold Coast for so many years here in Australia seen a lot of beaches and when travelling to Asia always go Jet skiing would be nice to check them out there though as have not been for a while as in Darwin they are full of Salt water Crocs up to 5m (16ft) in size and if they don't get you there is always the Sharks and Jelly Fish (gotta love Australia) or go bush and have the snakes and spiders

In regards to the super hot chicks have a wife

[Guff]

Sho mentioned Moab, which of the aforementioned places is the only one I've been to.

GO THERE. Oh my god, it's beautiful. I didn't think I was still in America hahaha.

Go to Moab, rent a small cabin/house-hotel and visit all the canyons and mountains. Go off-roading in a Jeep or ATV and enjoy nature.