What is worth to see in US for average European

[doomtrader]

Last time when I was in San Francisco, Blue Angels were there flying over the bay [:)]
 
 
ATM we are going trough our USA guidebook and I'm starting to be scared as there is so many things worth to see at both coasts.
 
It would be really hard to decide. Most probably we are focusing on the rural area, but of course we would like to hit one or two big cities.

[cdbeck]

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

ORIGINAL: Jeffrey H.
San Diego is worth a few days, in fact I'd avoid LA completely and head South.

Our trip takes us through Palm Springs, which is relatively close to San Diego, and the main reason I'd visit it is to have a look at a real life aircraft carrier. Any way to find out if there's one there late June ? And if you can get close enough for a good look ?

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

Eddy, there is ALWAYS an Aircraft Carrier at San Diego. It is a decommissioned one that they turned into a museum - The USS Midway. So, not only can you get close, you can get ON it and see a collection of aircraft and such. We have one in New York City, The Intrepid and it just reopened. My wife and I went to it and I had tons of fun! They may not be the ones actually in use now, but they aren't too old and give you the general sense of the size and power of these awesome platforms!

SoM

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: Son_of_Montfort
Eddy, there is ALWAYS an Aircraft Carrier at San Diego. It is a decommissioned one that they turned into a museum - The USS Midway. So, not only can you get close, you can get ON it and see a collection of aircraft and such.

Thanks a million ! - a daytrip to San Diego just became a must - I knew about the one in New York, but that was just too hard to fit in our schedule.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

[morvwilson]

ORIGINAL: doomtrader

Last time when I was in San Francisco, Blue Angels were there flying over the bay [:)]


ATM we are going trough our USA guidebook and I'm starting to be scared as there is so many things worth to see at both coasts.

It would be really hard to decide. Most probably we are focusing on the rural area, but of course we would like to hit one or two big cities.

Maybe this has been suggested already but, you might consider Yellow Stone Park and Mount Rushmore as part of the rural part.
I have driven coast to coast befor, and if you dont play tourist the drive can be done in about 5 days. Playing tourist, as we did when I was 8 on our first trip, we took a week.
I would also advise you to avoid interstate 80 between Salt Lake City UT and Winnamucca Nev. Its the salt flats, absolutely NOTHING there![8D]
I am already guessing you are a historian/wargame buff since you are posting here. But what is your wife interested in? That could narrow down the choices a little.

[Jeffrey H.]

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

ORIGINAL: Son_of_Montfort
Eddy, there is ALWAYS an Aircraft Carrier at San Diego. It is a decommissioned one that they turned into a museum - The USS Midway. So, not only can you get close, you can get ON it and see a collection of aircraft and such.

Thanks a million ! - a daytrip to San Diego just became a must - I knew about the one in New York, but that was just too hard to fit in our schedule.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

There is also the Flying Leatherneck Aircraft Museum out at Miramar Marine Air Base, outdoor display.

http://www.flyingleathernecks.org/

Downtown in Balboa park is the Air and Space Museum which is cool as well. I'd say you could do any two of these in a day, trying to hit all 3, (the midway, the two aircraft museums) might be a bit of a stretch.

[Jeffrey H.]

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

ORIGINAL: Son_of_Montfort
Eddy, there is ALWAYS an Aircraft Carrier at San Diego. It is a decommissioned one that they turned into a museum - The USS Midway. So, not only can you get close, you can get ON it and see a collection of aircraft and such.

Thanks a million ! - a daytrip to San Diego just became a must - I knew about the one in New York, but that was just too hard to fit in our schedule.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

Come to think of it, Palm Springs used to have a really neat Aircraft Museum, indoors as well. It's in the same location as the airport. I haven't been there in years so I don't know what it's like these days.

The 3rd army desert museum is not too far away from PS, just about 45 minutes SE on the 10 from PS proper. It wasn't much to speak of when I was there a few years back but who knows what it's like today.

[fvianello]

Spend some days in NYC and Washington DC, you can't miss them. From there, a trip to Gettysburg could be a good idea if your family can stand it. Yorktown could be a good choice too, it's inside a wonderful natural park.

Done that, move West to San Francisco, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas. If you're up for some extra adventure, fly to Phoenix and move to Tombstone (O.K. corral duel) by car; the route 66 is near there too.

A personal advice: avoid the park-and-sleep motels (the ones where you park your car in front of your room and go in without passing in front of a reception); they're used by trouble makers, drug dealers and such as base for their activities, I slept there 2 times and it was always troubles. Once I woke up at 6AM with the police smashing the door next to mine; when it was over I thought "Woha!!", but the first 2 minutes weren't nice.

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: Jeffrey H.

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

ORIGINAL: Son_of_Montfort
Eddy, there is ALWAYS an Aircraft Carrier at San Diego. It is a decommissioned one that they turned into a museum - The USS Midway. So, not only can you get close, you can get ON it and see a collection of aircraft and such.

Thanks a million ! - a daytrip to San Diego just became a must - I knew about the one in New York, but that was just too hard to fit in our schedule.

There is also the Flying Leatherneck Aircraft Museum out at Miramar Marine Air Base, outdoor display.

http://www.flyingleathernecks.org/

Downtown in Balboa park is the Air and Space Museum which is cool as well. I'd say you could do any two of these in a day, trying to hit all 3, (the midway, the two aircraft museums) might be a bit of a stretch.

I'll have to score some major points with the wife first to go see all 3 [;)]

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

[morvwilson]

One other point you may have already thought of, is a one way rental. You don't have to return the rental car to where you started.
For instance, you could fly into New York, rent your car there. Then drive to Los Angeles, using what ever route you want, and fly home from Los Angeles.
 
Hope this helps.

[Greybriar]

ORIGINAL: doomtrader

....We are planning to come for about three weeks. I know it should be at least three years. I also understand that trying to cover whole country has got no sense at all. So I'm trying to choose best area....

I agree. The United States is so large no one could begin to see everything in only three weeks. I suggest deciding what you and your wife want to see most and then planning on spending your time in that part of the U.S. Otherwise you will be wasting a lot of time driving from one part of the country to another. That was a major consideration when I suggested New England in my previous post. Most of the states there (e.g. Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut) are so small you can visit them all in the time you have.

If, on the other hand, you decide to see one particular sight like the Badlands in South Dakota, for example, you're going to be driving a long, long way and there isn't much to see once you get there but the Badlands (and Wall Drug). Ditto the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and any number of other "must see" places. The time spent on the road will eat up your vacation.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy yourself. You can do that visiting any of the places mentioned.

[Jeffrey H.]

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

ORIGINAL: Jeffrey H.

ORIGINAL: sterckxe



Thanks a million ! - a daytrip to San Diego just became a must - I knew about the one in New York, but that was just too hard to fit in our schedule.

There is also the Flying Leatherneck Aircraft Museum out at Miramar Marine Air Base, outdoor display.

http://www.flyingleathernecks.org/

Downtown in Balboa park is the Air and Space Museum which is cool as well. I'd say you could do any two of these in a day, trying to hit all 3, (the midway, the two aircraft museums) might be a bit of a stretch.

I'll have to score some major points with the wife first to go see all 3 [;)]

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

Heh, I know how that works, just turn her loose in Horton Plaza or Fashion Valley with the plastic.....problem resolved in the short term.

[James Ward]

ORIGINAL: doomtrader

Hi All.

I'm planning a trip to US this autumn for about three weeks, taking my wife and maybe a couple with us.We are planning to rent a car (some large SUV), and stop in motels without previous reservations (unless we know earlier we would like to stay for more than one night in one city).

I've already been in USA (living in CO, tripping to the west), and less more know what is worth to be seen, but I would be thankfull for your advices. Let me know what is worth to visit, what is must see.

I would say the girls in South Beach but since you are bringing your wife that might not fly [:)]

Niagara Falls, the giant Sequioa's, Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone Park are some of the greatest attractions in the world. You probably can't go wrong at any of them. If you like city life NY, DC, Chicago, LA and SF all have a lot going for them but ditch the car. Better yet ditch the car and go to Hawaii! [:D]

[jnier]

ORIGINAL: Son_of_Montfort

ORIGINAL: Doggie
New York City sucks. I wouldn't go there if you gave me an expense account and an armored car.[8|]

Barbarian... Philistine...

I am originally from the Midwest in the US, but moved to New York City. I have found New York City to be one of the most exciting, amazing, beautiful places on the planet. Sure, it is a huge city, but you can see nearly anything and everything, and the neighborhoods are much like small towns in themselves. I suggest that you don't dwell too long at the tourist sites, even though they are iconic. Take a nice boat tour around Manhattan, there you will get to see the skyline as you cruise the river and hear a little history. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) is nice, but being from Europe you can see things like that pretty easily (like the Louvre). New York is very safe, I never felt in danger no matter what time of night we were out (and I am not some huge imposing guy or anything).

New York is best explored "off the guidebook," going around and trying to find things that interest you - not some tour guide writer. Eat NY pizza, have a drink (overpriced) at a club/bar that you find charming, go to Central Park, cruise Broadway and 5th avenue, take a movie tour (takes you to places that have featured prominently in movies), wander into the Museum of Sex (or some other smaller, stranger museum). Just go with the flow, you'll have much more fun.

SoM

Very well put. If you want to see history I would add Ellis Island, the Intrepid Musuem, and a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (start in Brooklyn Hieghts for the best view).

[JSS]

ORIGINAL: doomtrader

Hi All.

I'm planning a trip to US this autumn for about three weeks, taking my wife and maybe a couple with us.We are planning to rent a car (some large SUV), and stop in motels without previous reservations (unless we know earlier we would like to stay for more than one night in one city).

I've already been in USA (living in CO, tripping to the west), and less more know what is worth to be seen, but I would be thankfull for your advices. Let me know what is worth to visit, what is must see.

For what its worth (given the same timeframe), my personal choice for 18 days in the US is being spent between Monterey and San Diego, CA. Would also recommend including San Francisco area on the trip.

Anyways, that's where I'm spending my R&R leave.

JSS

[hgilmer3]

ORIGINAL: Son_of_Montfort

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

ORIGINAL: Jeffrey H.
San Diego is worth a few days, in fact I'd avoid LA completely and head South.

Our trip takes us through Palm Springs, which is relatively close to San Diego, and the main reason I'd visit it is to have a look at a real life aircraft carrier. Any way to find out if there's one there late June ? And if you can get close enough for a good look ?

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

Eddy, there is ALWAYS an Aircraft Carrier at San Diego. It is a decommissioned one that they turned into a museum - The USS Midway. So, not only can you get close, you can get ON it and see a collection of aircraft and such. We have one in New York City, The Intrepid and it just reopened. My wife and I went to it and I had tons of fun! They may not be the ones actually in use now, but they aren't too old and give you the general sense of the size and power of these awesome platforms!

SoM

Bingo, The Midway's a goody. And the tour is pretty good, too. Good stories about what action the Midway saw.

[Anendrue]

Since we are such a divesr nation in heritage, geography, history, and culture. It might help to know what your interests are?

[SeaMonkey]

If your really into CVs and some military history, don't miss Texas.  Everyday my commute takes me over the harbor bridge with a bird's eyeview of CV16.  That's the "Blue Ghost" for you nostalgic fans, otherwise designated as the replacement for the Lexington, sunk in the Coral Sea.[8D]
 
Essex class, from my vantage point, it must be similar to just what a Japanese "Kate" torpedo armed pilot must have seen making his run on the starboard side and then on the way home I imagine a bow shot with a 500 lb bomb.  What a beautiful carrier!  Inside are all sorts of goodies, TBDs, SBDs, F4u, F6F, and a wonderful tribute to CV6, that's our beloved Enterprise that was cut up and used for scrap metal before it could be saved.  A nice tribute to the CVEs and CVLs also resides near the Admiral's quarters.
 
On to Fredricksburg for the Nimitz museum and the Pacific War museum also, most awesome Texas hill country.  Ohh  yeah, right down the road, SA...San Antonio, the true capital of Texas....you know the place with the Alamo!  I won't mention the best food on the planet...Tex-Mex and wonderful margaritas.[;)]
 
Back north, in Bagdad on the Bayou.....that'd be Houston, on the area around where Sam Houston and some wily Texans gained our independence at the Battle of San Jacinto sits the old WW1 restored BB museum,...yep you guessed it, USS Texas.  I believe it pounded some beaches in Normandy with 14 inchers way back in 44.
 
And finally...well maybe, not sure, since Ike's visit, but there was a restored WW2 sub near the ferry that used go from Galveston to Crystal Beach.  That status is surely uncertain, better check before you go.
 
Ohhh and like the song says...."the friendliest people and the prettiest women you'll ever meet."   Just come on home with the Armadillo.[:)]

[Whisper]

There is a lot of different Americas to see. One America is where this nation here came from and that's in the East. Lexington, concord, saratoga, ticonderoga, and williamsburg, newport, boston, philly, gettysburg, antietam, manassas, and all that.

Another America is the unique geography and culture. I like SW best for that. Painted desert, Navajo towns around Las Cruces, Arizona, New Mexico. Somebody could make a good case for Montana, Dakotas, and there's always yellowstone.

New Orleans ain't much no more, but we still got crawfish and gumbo in LA (and that ain't los angeles) and we are unique too.

[doomtrader]

Just to refresh this thread.
Exchange rates don't look promising but I didn't resign (yet) and it looks like we will choose Southwest.

[rickier65]

ORIGINAL: doomtrader

Just to refresh this thread.
Exchange rates don't look promising but I didn't resign (yet) and it looks like we will choose Southwest.

You can get some good deals on lodging in Las Vegas now, but be prepared for the heat.

Rick