Need some help planning my trip to the US

[Simmy]

First of all, a big thank you for all your help so far! I really appreciate it.

Way too many days for Disneyland.

Disney world is a lot better then Disney land, so that's something for you to think about also.

As far as this goes, I'm truly a big kid at heart. I've been to Disneyland 8 years ago and I've heard that Disney World is a hell of a lot of fun, but I've had a deep affinity for the place and for Walt Disney as a person for a long time. So that's kind of why I'd prefer to head to the original birth place of Disney parks one more time (plus I'm not planning on doing Florida this time around so maybe next time!).

I think two days in NYC is probably enough as well. Not because NYC isn't great, but because it's a place where there's so much to do and so many quick ways to get there that you can pack a lot into 48 hours. It's also very overwhelming due to the sheer amount of stimuli.

I second this. I made the mistake of overstaying. I stayed April 16-21. I was ready to go back home by the 18th/19th. You can do a lot in a day or 2. The subway system is fantastic to maneuver throughout the city. But I spent many, many summers in NYC as a kid. So, when I went back, it wasn't overwhelming at all. It felt very normal for me to be there. There is something very special about NYC, but I think a 5 day stay will be too much.

I'd go to Hawaii, if I were you. I've never been, but my mother and sister have been there and of course, Gour can handle everything you need to know.

This is really interesting and very helpful. Thank you! So 2 days would be enough time to see absolutely everything? Or would that feel too crammed? What about 3 days? And are there any places in particular you might recommend staying at?

But I'd strongly suggest adding Denver to your list either way. If you're into music, the outsoors and beer...I think colorado is a place you really shouldn't miss. You'd see and experience geography that you don't have on your list and there's a very different culture there than in Vegas, NYC and LA. And if you're into weed...you can smoke/eat it relatively freely there. You can also hike/bike, try a bunch of craft beers and you'll be more likely to actually experience the locals here than your other destinations.

Sounds awesome! I've heard amazing thinks about Denver from some work colleagues. I'm planning on doing a huge US travel trip a few years from now (want to travel around the country and visit friends in Houston, Minnesota, Houston, Atlanta etc. etc.) so I'll certainly add it to the list next time around.

As far as Hawaii, I would change that from maybe to definitely..

Great! My girlfriend will be happy to hear that lol.

While in Cleveland eat at Lola and the melt. If you're into American football, consider staying an extra day in Cleveland and visiting the hall of fame in canton.

Also, The Melt. One of the best restaurants. Little bit outside of Cleveland, still pretty good.

Absolutely, I'd love to spend a whole year in Cleveland to be honest. Thank you for your suggestions! Seems like this "Melt" place is pretty popular, hey? What do they serve? Being from Melbourne, we love our food. Very diverse culturally. But I'm a sucker for "traditional American delights."

One of Cleveland's best features that has popped up in the last few years is its amazing food scene. There might not be a better place to eat in the whole country.

Before you head out here, pop back into this thread and request some recommendations. There are no less than thirty or more restaurants I'd recommend offhand that are just awesome, and very few are expensive in any way.

Thank you, sir. I will certainly do that.

As far as weather goes (and any other factors you can think of), when do you think might be the best time to visit? Factoring of course the NBA schedule etc., weather, popularity of tourism at certain times etc.

Thanks for all your suggestions guys. Keep 'em coming!

 

[The Oi]

For NYC, it depends on what "everything" means to you. For me, Comedy Cellar (you need to go here), Broadway play, a museum I haven't seen, cannoli somewhere I haven't tried, pizza somewhere I haven't tried, bagels and a Jewish deli are all things I would fit in every time no matter what. You should also hit a Yankees game if you can. And Central Park is worth checking out.

Hit Canal street in Chinatown and get your woman a fake designer purse. I don't know if my wife has ever used the ones we got her there, but I was in it moreso for the experience. The whole experience of watching all these women salivate over these black market fake purposes while these little Chinese women pull them out of the back of a tiny little "warehouse" is hysterical. Also check out Little Italy. Historic bus tour would be great for a first timer. Take her shopping near Rockefeller center or 5th.

For a first-timer, I'd say you should hit Times Square just to see it. But I personally avoid it since seeing it a couple times.

As far as places to stay, there's hundreds. I try to pick a place relatively close to Penn Station so we can leave bags at the hotel our last day, then pick them up on the way back to the train.

I've been shit on on RCF for my tightly planned and scheduled to the minute NYC trips, but I could fit everything I described in to two days with good planning and walk everywhere except the Bronx for the Yanks game. I strongly recommend walking on most if not all of your trip because you see so much more of the city and if you want to improv a stop into a place you pass by, it's easier to do it.

 

[Jack Brickman]

The plus side if you go to Disney World is that you can also go to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, both of which have cooler rides than Disney and aren't as jam packed with billions of Asians all year.

 

[The Oi]

Do you like rollercoasters? Because if you're hitting Cleveland, then you'd be an asshole to miss Cedar Point. It's incredible.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Do you like rollercoasters? Because if you're hitting Cleveland, then you'd be an asshole to miss Cedar Point. It's incredible.

Excellent call. Been living outside of Ohio for so long that sometimes I forget about things like Cedar Point. :chuckles:

 

[Sumac13]

As for NYC, 2 days is a bit tight, especially if you have not been there before. What type tourist are you? Do you like to see everything and it doesn't matter if you only spend a few minutes at each spot, just as long as you get to say 'I saw it'? Or do you prefer to hit fewer places, but spend more time at each? There is a lot to do in NYC. Many of which you don't need to spend much time at, others you could spend hours. To some, visiting the Statue of Liberty is a big deal, to others, meh. (Just being able to see it from afar is enough for me, I don't need to get up in her.) I'd hit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (but I like museums), but if you do so, expect to spend a good part of a day there. If taking in a museum or two, I definitely would add a 3rd day. Shit, you can easily spend a day shopping if that type of thing appeals to either you or your girlfriend.

As for Hawaii, go if you have a chance. Or book it as a separate trip and spend more time there. A week isn't nearly long enough. Been there twice. It is a special place.

 

[Sumac13]

Excellent call. Been living outside of Ohio for so long that sometimes I forget about things like Cedar Point. :chuckles:

Might not be an option in March. Not sure when the park opens.

 

[theSTEREO.]

Problem is, if you wanna catch Cedar Point AND a Cavs game, you're walking a tight rope. NBA season usually starts last day or two of October, and Cedar Point shuts down after the first weekend in November.

But really as far as timing in Ohio goes, come as close to the beginning of the NBA season if you can. Autumn leaves are a pretty cool site. OR aim for a playoff game in the Spring. Should be a pretty good bet that they'll be playing then

 

[Cratylus]

I'm planning on doing a huge US travel trip a few years from now (want to travel around the country and visit friends in Houston, Minnesota, Houston, Atlanta etc. etc.) so I'll certainly add it to the list next time around.

Whenever you decide to come to the Atlanta area, let me know ahead of time and I'll make it a point to take a few days off work and be your tour guide if you like.

 

[The Oi]

Why waste time in Minnesota or Houston? Have your Minnesota friends meet you in Chicago and your Houston friends meet you in Austin or Dallas.

Minnesota sucks and Houston is a weirdly zoned shit-hole.

 

[Nicky]

For NYC, it depends on what "everything" means to you. For me, Comedy Cellar (you need to go here), Broadway play, a museum I haven't seen, cannoli somewhere I haven't tried, pizza somewhere I haven't tried, bagels and a Jewish deli are all things I would fit in every time no matter what. You should also hit a Yankees game if you can. And Central Park is worth checking out.

Hit Canal street in Chinatown and get your woman a fake designer purse. I don't know if my wife has ever used the ones we got her there, but I was in it moreso for the experience. The whole experience of watching all these women salivate over these black market fake purposes while these little Chinese women pull them out of the back of a tiny little "warehouse" is hysterical. Also check out Little Italy. Historic bus tour would be great for a first timer. Take her shopping near Rockefeller center or 5th.

For a first-timer, I'd say you should hit Times Square just to see it. But I personally avoid it since seeing it a couple times.

As far as places to stay, there's hundreds. I try to pick a place relatively close to Penn Station so we can leave bags at the hotel our last day, then pick them up on the way back to the train.

I've been shit on on RCF for my tightly planned and scheduled to the minute NYC trips, but I could fit everything I described in to two days with good planning and walk everywhere except the Bronx for the Yanks game. I strongly recommend walking on most if not all of your trip because you see so much more of the city and if you want to improv a stop into a place you pass by, it's easier to do it.

Your itinerary was overkill. But I guess as a first timer there, you needed that. I pretty much free-balled after the second day.
You will do a far share of walking there, but you'll also have more of an "experience" to NYC on the subway. You'll see some things. You'll also smell things that you never thought possible. I love that city and dislike it, at the same time. So, you know it's special.


NEVER USE A PORT-A-POTTY there. Just don't!

 

[Walter White]

Come by Kansas and see our wheat fields. It is really exciting.

 

[Hurl Bruce]

You gotta hit Randal Park Mall. That was once the largest mall in the world.

 

[Mac]

From a person that has witnessed 20 playoff games the Cavs have played, the Pistons clincher, the NBA finals and have also been to Barcelona and Camp Nou.....Barcelona is by far the much better sporting experience. American sports in person blows to witnessing top flight soccer live in person.

But if the rest of your trip trumps Barcelona (which is the best city I have also been to in my life as well....) then by all means, visit Cleveland in with the others. I would definitely do the beginning of the season. March weather is awful.

 

[CleveRocks]

Someone mentioned Hilton head, but I would consider Charelston, SC area specifically Isle of palms, gotta watch the timing as it can be busy during spring break, if you get to late april or May check out the Spoleto Festival.
http://spoletousa.org/about/