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Tour of America - Americans wanted!

Posted by iratedog • 8/27/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: tour, usa

Hi guys
Me and Becky are planning our gap year travels and have a coast to coast tour of the USA in our sights.

We have 6 weeks in the US to fill and we want to spend 1 week in each place to let us get to know it (it's better than just a few days).

Are there any Americans here who can advise us on the 6 greatest places to visit?

User Comments

8/27/09

SweetViolet

You must see America's Pacific Northwest. Deep pine forests, beautiful rivers and lakes, pristine shorelines...

Mt. Hood
Mt. St. Helens
Crater Lake
Silver Falls State Park
The Cascade Mountains
Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge

And so much more!

[reply]
1. 8/27/09
  
  iratedog
  
  *check* right, ok. noted.
  
  Obviously, we have 6 weeks to get from the west coast to the east coast but we really don't mind how we do it.
8/27/09

Stillthinking

Oh dear, you don't need a week in each place.

1. NYC
2. Boston
3. Chicago
4. San Francisco
5. Las Vegas
6. LA

Now, those are the largest cities in the US. There is entire country outside those cities and it really just depends on how back to nature you want to get or how frightened you want to be.

I would suggest that 3 days in each city is plenty, because it is going to take you days to drive from place to place. I would suggest seeing some silly Americana like the Wigwam motels, the world's largest picnic basket, and part of Route 66 which runs from Chicago to LA.

If you're a back to nature type person, you should definitely see the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Park, drive down Highway 1 in California.

Now, if you do get to all these places, you'll have seen more of the country than I have.

Have fun planning! Stay away from mad ax-wielding hitchhikers.

[reply]
1. 8/27/09
  
  iratedog
  
  Well, actually you could help us with this:
  In terms of traveling, we're 18. Am I right in saying you need to be 16 to drive in the US? But is it different for renting a car?
  
  If we can't drive we'll be training/busing a lot of it. Much cheaper I'm thinking..?
2. 8/27/09
  
  Stillthinking
  
  Renting a car you must be 25. You can drive here at 16 with special license and 18 without restrictions. You must have an international drivers license!
  
  Train is a great way to see the country! The Amtrak is fantastic. There is a train called the City of New Orleans that runs from Chicago to LA and makes stops in between. But to see the National Parks, you either need a car or figure out a bus that will take you there.
  
  Actually since you are only 18, don't bother with Vegas. You need to be 21 to really enjoy Vegas.
3. 8/27/09
  
  jafabrit
  
  You would have a problem renting a car, check with some rental sites, my understanding is that you have to be over a certain age. Bus is cheaper than the train, but arg! I have a bad view of bus services in the USA ranging from the location of some of the bus depots, poorly maintained buses, so good research needs to be done. Trains can be as expensive as flights but you get to see more.
  
  NYC has a great transportation, subway system, as does Washington DC. I am with Stillthinking the train system is a good bet.
4. 8/27/09
  
  melindaville
  
  I once had a wonderful bus strip across the U.S. I could have never made it through Nebraska without the companionship of an outrageous drag queen who kept me laughing the entire time.
  
  I was about 20 at the time--I know I could never take a long distance bus trip today but it was fun then.
  
  You meet some interesting people on the bus.
5. 8/27/09
  
  jafabrit
  
  having done my time on buses trains and planes in england and usa, I am sticking with my thoughts about buses.
8/27/09

melindaville

San Francisco! In my very biased opinion, you should visit SF. It is the most beautiful city in the U.S., wonderfully progressive, very interesting, with some of the most fabulous restaurants in the world.

Other cities I recommend:

New York
Chicago
Boston
New Orleans

But SF is the best!

[reply]
1. 8/27/09
  
  iratedog
  
  haha, San Fran - *check*
  
  Ok, new question to you guys and galls:
  Now that we've dealt with travel, what the cheapest way of STAYING in the US? Hotels, Youth Hostels, camping? Anything?
2. 8/27/09
  
  melindaville
  
  Probably camping would be the cheapest. There are some great campgrounds in the U.S.
  
  There are youth hostels in most major cities--and cheap hotels. If you do go to SF, I can give you a listing of youth hostels.
8/27/09

nothingprofound

Are you a city person or a nature person? That would make a big difference. Highway 101 that runs along the California coast is absolutely spectacular. Ocean, mountains, redwood trees, etc. But you'd need a car.

[reply]
1. 8/27/09
  
  iratedog
  
  BOTH! A good bit of city is always amazing but we're both very excited about seeing Niagra Falls, Grand Canyon and especially Yellowstone.
2. 8/27/09
  
  melindaville
  
  I grew up 100 miles from Yellowstone. It's really spectacular.
  
  I could introduce you to my Mom. She'd put you up for a night or two (she would!). She lives in Bozeman, Montana, which might just be the loveliest small town in the U.S. Nestled right in the Rocky Mountains. It's still considered sacred ground by the Native Americans in the area to this day.
8/27/09

mikeny07

Where do you live? Some places you can't get a hotel room unless you are over 21.

[reply]
1. 8/27/09
  
  iratedog
  
  Really??? Why the hell not??
8/27/09

iratedog

New question: Is there anything like an everywhere train pass that we could buy and just hop on and off trains at will? Or the same for buses?

[reply]
1. 8/27/09
  
  Jaybetee
  
  here is a link to the Amtrak USA RailPass page: www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=am2Copy&pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Simp...
  
  I think this might be what you want.
  
  They do have some restrictions and it looks like you'd have to still book individual trips, but still probably your best bet.
  
  I'd avoid buses if I were you. They stop a lot and the trips are long. I'd go by train or plane if you're thinking of doing the whole US. I saw something recently about an airline offering unlimited travel in the US. I'll see if I can find the promo link for you.
8/27/09

Jaybetee

Can't tell if they're still offering this or not...the page makes it sound like it might be over, but worth checking out www.jetblue.com/deals/all-you-can-jet/

Edit: Upon reading the fine print it looks like it's probably over and I think the dates you can use the pass are only from sept. 8th to oct. 8th.

Sorry.

[reply]
8/27/09

Jaybetee

Just FYI...if you want to come to TX and not spend too much $, the BC team can more than likely find a host for you here either in San Antonio or Austin. Not sure if either of those are on the "must see" list, but it might be a good stopover point!

[reply]
1. 8/27/09
  
  iratedog
  
  Good to know, thanks!
2. 8/27/09
  
  Stillthinking
  
  If you go to Austin, hit the live music scene and Guero's Taco Bar. Austin has some of the best live music in the country.
8/27/09

HollytheHousewife

Don't forget about the smokeys,very very pretty..if u like that kinda thing

[reply]
8/27/09

LGramlich

Why not pop by Niagara Falls, if you can? Make sure you hop across the border to the Canadian side, where the views are more impressive & there's more to do & see (inc. hiking the gorge/Niagara Escarpment, visiting Dufferin Islands, Clifton Hill & the butterfly conservatory, taking the Spanish Aero Car across the whirlpool, etc., etc.) If you want to spend more time in the area, Toronto's just over an hour away.

[reply]
1. 8/27/09
  
  iratedog
  
  Niagra is definitely on the list. I have relatives in Canada so I'm planning on seeing if they could put us up for a night or two.