So if I was to travel America where should I go?
Basically I want to travel America next year.
I live in England and whilst I know that many of you find that interesting I want to see America because there is so much on one continent. So I am asking you…what should I see, where shoul I stay and how much should I pay? Any information would be great! and I would love to go for coffee/tea with a couple of Flutherites along the way. I have a maximum of three months so bear that in mind and advise me! Thank you all ^^
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That’s a good long time! Have you considered trying to set up a series of home exchanges?
Oh goodness that is a big question. Of course there are the big cities that you hear about often like New York, LA, etc. I would encourage you to see things that are a little of all of the regions of the US. Most Americans consider the US broken down into, East (examples; New York, Maine, Vermont), West (Examples:California, Oregon, Washington ), South (ex.Georgia, Alabama, Lousiana), Midwest (Ilinois, Michigan, Montana) and South West (Arizona, New Mexico). Depending on the time of year would change the states to visit with the regions..
@MagsRags I have thought about it but do you mean on here or a seperate site?
I highly suggest traveling down Highway 101 on the west coast. Seattle to Los Angeles. It’s beautiful!
@Allie Thanks for the detailed answer ^^
@saraaaaaa there are sites that specialize in this. I was a member of intervac for a year with a goal of getting to Europe – came close several times but wasn’t able to finalize any of them. But many member have done lots of exchanges over many years. Part of my difficulty was that many travelers want to base themselves in a large city, and I’m in the Pacific Northwest. Anyway, with long term planning and an open mind, you can save money and open yourself up to a more personalized experience.
Go to San Fransisco and get fluther stickers.
@MagsRags Thats exaclty what I want, thank you ^^ Its going to take a while but I don’t want the typical experience ya know?
If you visit California, don’t bother with LA, it’s not actually that interesting or beautiful. It’s actually pretty terrible. Sprawl is not fun. The beaches there are gross. Northern California is worth it, as is the rest of the Northern West Coast.
@Beta_Orionis That’s right! Yeaaahhh, Northern California >>> Southern California.
If you want to see historical places, travel down the East coast. If you want to see nice places travel down the West coast.
and yes Northwest > Southwest. Let me move in with you Allie
@Allie It’s true. San Francisco has an excellent reputation, rightly so. Los Angeles, not so much.
Like several others on this thread, I would first narrow down what you want to see, then go from there.
Most of the more historical sites are on the East coast; culture (museums especially) can be found on both coasts but less in the middle, beaches are also on both coasts, etc.
If you are a high school or college student, you could probably work it into studies for credit as a form of independent study.
Also, if you want great photos, it’s better to go to cities that are older rather than newer. There’s more variety in architecture!
Go to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky or Western Virginia, Chicago, Nashville, New Orleans, and into the middle of the country. It’s different than the coasts. Exchange students we’ve hosted are always surprised at the difference.
National parks like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone are also putting on the tentative itinerary
Michigan is a pretty awesome state, we have some absolutely gorgeous places to see.
I am from the East Coast. I heartily recommend New England – especially the Maine coast – for beautiful scenery. In fact, if you like nature and scenery, Acadia National Park in Maine is outstanding. (Great lobster and popovers, too!) Boston is a great city; in many ways (because of its age), the closest to an English city. You can’t miss New York – it is just “the city” and humming with life 24 hours a day. Washington, D.C. is great for historical sites and museums and there are beautiful countryside and parks in Virginia and further south.
On the West Coast, the area around San Francisco and further north is fantastically beautiful and fun. In fact, there are very few parts of the country that won’t be interesting in some way to see.
I also vote for Boston. It’s an amazing city just to walk around. And, I agree with @janbb that you can’t miss NYC or Washington DC.. Everyone should stand in Times Square once in their lifetime, and DC is just, well, DC. :)
I haven’t traveled around the US all that much, but I have always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon. Niagra Falls is beautiful (though that involves Canada and not just the US). I grew up in the midwest and so don’t think it’s all that great but I do have fond memories of visiting Chicago, driving up to Wisconsin, the beauty of southern Indiana, the Great Lakes, Amish country…
The farthest west I’ve been is Texas. San Antonio was beautiful, and we had a lovely time at the beach in Galveston. I also spent time in South Padre but don’t really remember much of it. Spring break. Texas was always amazing to me because of the scope of the place. The sky just felt enormous and close enough to reach up and touch.
If you decide to spend time in Connecticut, let me know and I can suggest some specific places to stay/visit. Have fun!
New York City seems like the go-to answer for anyone who’s never been to the states before; it has so much culture, activity, variance, and life in one place, with great food, museums, parks, architecture, nightlife, people, etc., etc. I may be biased because I live here, but, c’mon – NYC is amazing.
Go to the Midwest too, though! Chicago and St. Louis, Missouri are both amazing cities, with lots and lots to do and see.
If either NYC or St. Louis end up on your list of places to go, definitely send me a PM. I can recommend stuff to do, places to see, good restaurants, etc. for both cities.
Happy traveling!
@saraaaaaa come visit us out in Colorado. It is beautiful, and Estes Park is great too. Stay a night in the Stanley Hotel where Stephen King’s the Shinning was made. There is so much to do out here, plenty of trails, camping, history, and best of all the small towns. There is always something to learn out here.
I’m not going into the whole So. Cal. Nor Cal. thing. I’ve actually lived in both places and I know which one is best.
Other than the state of CA, which has it all, I recommend the high desert in New Mexico. There is something bewitching about the desert. It is nothing like you have ever seen.
@tinyfaery I’m from Los Angeles. I’ve spent a good deal of time in the Northern half. It’s waaaaay better. High desert is an excellent suggestion.
Alaska, because it is like a different country and the scenery is amazing.
You can’t miss Miami and South Beach and the Florida Keys. A taste of the Caribbean without leaving the mainland!
And DC, my favorite city for museums, art galleries and history, it wallows in it. And most all of it free.
Definitely DC. Such an interesting area. Many neat buildings. Also I would suggest San Francisco, that city has it all. Go to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley…they’re pretty close so if you wanna see one then definitely see them both. I would suggest White Sands National Monument (I think it’s monument? Maybe its park though) in New Mexico. SOOOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL. And if you like the mountains, swing by and have tea with me in Boulder, Colorado!
@Jeruba POINTED OUT THE BADLANDS. Which is a great suggestion. They are amazing, definitely check them out.
Florida or Virginia Beach, Virginia. Both warm and tropical. Beaches are great, also.
Speaking as a resident of flyover country, I speak for the Midwest. Chicago and Minneapolis are wonderful cities, and you have to spend some time on Route 66.
You should deffinitely visit Egypt or Hawaii! :) You should deffinitely get away someplace where yo can relax and get away.:)
The Grand Canyon is pretty, but once you’ve seen it for about 10 minutes, you can move on to something else.
There’s lots of pretty things in Arizona, but they are of more interest to “specialists” (geologists and Native American archaeologists come to mind) than for the average person.
Canada’s nice. You could do a Toronto/New York/Boston/DC thing, using the Amtrak trains. Could be fun.
Come visit me in Vegas and bring some Cadbury chocolate
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