America (USA) (1 Viewer)

[doctordev]

I went to the states and canada for a 3 week odyssey last november.

Landed in LA, did Disneyland, visited Beverly Hills went to Santa Monica.

Next day drove to San Diego and saw the supposedly world famous zoo (Singapore's one is better and cheaper).

Next day, drove to Las Vegas where i took a helicopter ride (US$240 per person for an hour) to Grand Canyon (breathtaking view) bypassing Hoover Dam. Stayed 2 nights in Las Vegas, where you find slot machines all over the place. Sidewalks littered with sleazy call cards.

Flew to San Fransisco, stayed 2 nights with a friend. I vote SF the best overall city in my journey. Beautiful weather and good landscaping. Saw the Golden Gate Bridge and visited Fisherman's Pier.

Flew to Vancouver, stayed with distant cousin. I vote Vancouver the most beautiful city in Canada. Visited Whistler's Village up in the mountains (venue for Winter Olympics).

Drove to seattle to meet cousin the next day. I vote Seattle the most beautiful in USA in my trip. Visited Microsoft HQ in Redmond.

Drove back to Vancouver and flew over to Toronto. Toronto is just an ordinary urban city. So, did most of shopping there as prices are cheapest here. Stayed with other distant relative.

Next day, flew to Virginia and drove to Washington D.C. Saw most of what there is to see. white house, the Capitol (the most magnificent building i have seen) all the government ministries etc. covered the entire place on foot in 1 day.

Next day, drove to new york bypassing Delaware, Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), New Jersey. Drive was good. Philadelphia is pretty much an old city with a lot of suspension bridges.

In new york, found the inner city to be pretty dirty and foul. looked very dangerous. Sat in the Metro and felt that i was in a third world country. Compared to the many countries i have visited, the NY Metro has to be one of the worst. Only India is worse but then again, India IS third world and a developing nation. However, manhattan was a real stunner. it is the life of New York. Saw many of the famous attractions. the statue of liberty, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Times Square etc..

Finally, tool a return flight home via Anchorage (Alaska). A pity i didn't have time to stopover there.

I will leave that for next time.

piecheck -- Trip cost me about US$15000 all in for 3 weeks.

 

[go_swans]

I went for 4 weeks, to LA (disneyland, knotts berry farm, hollywood tour, universal studios, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach), San Diego (zoo, sea world, wild animal park), Mexico (Tijuana!), D.C, (white house, pentagon etc.) NY, (statue of liberty, times square, world trade centre memorial) Toronto (CN tower), Niagra Falls Canada, Grand Canyon.

I cant remember where else i went but i know there were lots of other places!
I think all up it cost us about 50k for 4 of us to go, including money for food/hotels etc.

 

[doctordev]

Wow, 50k for 4 of you all for 1 month. Awesome budgeting.

 

[GoodToGo]

I'd definately recommend Manhatten...apart from the obvious touristy things like empire state building, statue of liberty...check out some of the interesting neighbourhoods like east/west village and Soho.

Definately visit San Francisco:
Mission district - the home of hispanic culture, artists, alterna-types yuppies and the trendy.

The Haight - the birth of hippie culture and the summer of love, now home to neo-punks, clubbers and fashionistas.

Nob/Russian Hill...amazing views from everywhere and shops galore.

If you're heading over to the East Bay...definately visit Telegraph Ave in Berekeley - this is where student radicalism was born. Berkeley is a city of under 25's, a really awesome collge town just a BART train away from the heart of San Fran!

For those that are hitting up the Bay Area, check out this site (it's by the San Francisco Chronicle, SF's broadsheet newspaper):
http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide/sf/neighborhoods/

 

[CSI: CRIMES ™]

hey if anyone can help, much appricated.

one of my friends, she's planning to go to america, when she's 21 in 2 years time, and im just wandering about the cost and areas to visit.

should she go as a tourists?? with other australians together, or travel alone with her friend/sister etc ??
because she's looking a career in america, instead of living in australia well anyways, what's the best way for her to get or find a job as a student on visa?

and the cost to travel to america/expenses etc how much do people who travel need in their pocket? including their plane tickets, spendings etc


much appricated, thanks

 

[pLuvia]

I recommend, LA and Las Vegas and NYC

 

[go_swans]

hey if anyone can help, much appricated.

one of my friends, she's planning to go to america, when she's 21 in 2 years time, and im just wandering about the cost and areas to visit.

should she go as a tourists?? with other australians together, or travel alone with her friend/sister etc ??
because she's looking a career in america, instead of living in australia well anyways, what's the best way for her to get or find a job as a student on visa?

and the cost to travel to america/expenses etc how much do people who travel need in their pocket? including their plane tickets, spendings etc


much appricated, thanks

if she'll be 21, then Vegas for sure. Im not 21 so when I went there it wasnt THAT good cause i got kicked out of the casino about 20 mins into playing a machine.
But New York and Los Angeles are musts. Canada is beautiful but if u are only planning on the states then thats irrelevant.

Its pretty hard to get a working visa for the states. But those american summer camps are great for cash and then u can travel later when u earn some money (pluss, accomodation is included which is awesome)

She will need a fair bit of money as the states is relatively expensive. And its probably best to travel with someone, it will make it heaps cheaper, and less lonely.

 

[olchik]

Yes Las Vegas is great for visit and of course
Disneyland!!!

 

[rumour]

I'm thinking of going there at the end of the year. Has anyone been recently?
Is it true that they let you into the nightclubs if you are under 21 (and over 18), but you can't buy alcohol?
Or do you have to be over 21 to enter clubs/pubs?

 

[davin]

it depends. most bars won't let you in unless you're 21. however, clubs can do it various ways. example, one club in hollywood i've been to had wristbands that they gave you when you went in. if you were under 21, you didn't get a wristband. you couldn't be served drinks, but it also meant that then you couldn't leave and re-enter. its really how each place decides to run it, but i'd bet you can get into at least some clubs.

 

[rumour]

it depends. most bars won't let you in unless you're 21. however, clubs can do it various ways. example, one club in hollywood i've been to had wristbands that they gave you when you went in. if you were under 21, you didn't get a wristband. you couldn't be served drinks, but it also meant that then you couldn't leave and re-enter. its really how each place decides to run it, but i'd bet you can get into at least some clubs.

Ok, thanks for that!

I wonder how many would allow us in....

 

[davin]

that i don't know. clubs have never been my scene. i do know there are also at least some clubs aimed at under-21 crowd that don't sell alcohol. or at least, i think there are.

 

[snowbunny]

Don't go to America. Americans are dickless whores.

Seriously, the last place you want to holiday in is America.

actually there are some pretty awesome places to visit in USA

 

[selurkcin]

^^^ agreed. America can be awesome If you go to the right places and if you're with the right people.