USA holiday.

[deesun]

Hi guys, next May/June wifey and I are headed stateside to have a look around. We have booked tours on both east and west coasts but we have some time to ourselves in New York and Orlando so for those who have been to either of these places and have a favourite place tell me about it. Obviously Orlando is the place of theme parks etc but if you have any suggestions, including no go places, I am all ears. We are in New York for 9 days, one of which I am traveling down to Dover for the NASCAR race. We have a booklet called the New York Pass from a friend who has been recently which gives discounts and tourist info. Specifically I would like to know if there is anything automotive that is worth the trouble of having a look cos it would be a shame that I missed it because I had time and didn't go. Thanks for any input.

[solarite_guy]

With interest in NASCAR and cars, you might like visiting the Mooresville and surrounding areas in North Carolina. Most NASCAR shops have nice hospitality arrangements for visitors.

In Disney World the best place to leave at night after the fireworks is Epcot. Ii think it is the most laid back of all the Disney World (Florida) parks too. Before the evening show and Fireworks, get a table for dinner outside next to the lake. Relax, enjoy the meal, order a beer for last call and by the time you are finished, you can walk to your car and avoid most traffic. Leaving the Magic Kingdom at night is a PITA.

Seaworld can be fun too. We used to go to both places every summer for my daughters gymnastics events. I hope things are still as I recall.

[deesun]

Originally Posted by solarite_guy

With interest in NASCAR and cars, you might like visiting the Mooresville and surrounding areas in North Carolina. Most NASCAR shops have nice hospitality arrangements for visitors.

In Disney World the best place to leave at night after the fireworks is Epcot. Ii think it is the most laid back of all the Disney World (Florida) parks too. Before the evening show and Fireworks, get a table for dinner outside next to the lake. Relax, enjoy the meal, order a beer for last call and by the time you are finished, you can walk to your car and avoid most traffic. Leaving the Magic Kingdom at night is a PITA.

Seaworld can be fun too. We used to go to both places every summer for my daughters gymnastics events. I hope things are still as I recall.

Thank you. Yes, EPCOT is being looked at and thanks for the tip on getting a table, meal and drinks. Funnily enough we have ex aussie friends in Greensville NC and were looking at catching up but didn't look possible. Then I found out they are moving to Rochester and are willing to come over to Niagra the day we are seeing the falls and have a quick catch up there. So Mooresville a no go but again thanks.

[solarite_guy]

Originally Posted by deesun

Thank you. Yes, EPCOT is being looked at and thanks for the tip on getting a table, meal and drinks. Funnily enough we have ex aussie friends in Greensville NC and were looking at catching up but didn't look possible. Then I found out they are moving to Rochester and are willing to come over to Niagra the day we are seeing the falls and have a quick catch up there. So Mooresville a no go but again thanks.

The Canadian side has much better viewing than the American side at Niagra (another gymnastics related side trip).

[deesun]

Originally Posted by solarite_guy

The Canadian side has much better viewing than the American side at Niagra (another gymnastics related side trip).

Yes, tour goes Toronto, Lake Ont, Welland Canal, Falls, glass walk, Table Rock, Floral Clock and a cruise later in the day. Thanks again.

[cs123]

Orlando, go to NASA. Awesome place.

If you're in NYC go catch the Amtrack to Boston and/or Washington for overnighters.

[solarite_guy]

Originally Posted by cs123

Orlando, go to NASA. Awesome place.

If you're in NYC go catch the Amtrack to Boston and/or Washington for overnighters.

Clam chowder and lobster in Boston and I am in rural country west of DC and Baltimore, for now.

If you go to Boston, try to take the "T" for traveling once in town instead of driving around. It's a lot nicer than the subways in NYC.

Great delis in NYC.

[deesun]

Originally Posted by cs123

Orlando, go to NASA. Awesome place.

If you're in NYC go catch the Amtrack to Boston and/or Washington for overnighters.

Thanks, the tour we are on goes to NASA then the last day in Miami but we will leave the tour after NASA and head back to Orlando and delete Miami to give us more time in Orlando. Not sure how yet but might be able to hire a car in Orlando and get ourselves to NASA and then we have our own transport back to Orlando. Thanks for the Amtrack tip.

[Dalonian]

Originally Posted by deesun

Thanks, the tour we are on goes to NASA then the last day in Miami but we will leave the tour after NASA and head back to Orlando and delete Miami to give us more time in Orlando. Not sure how yet but might be able to hire a car in Orlando and get ourselves to NASA and then we have our own transport back to Orlando. Thanks for the Amtrack tip.

Kennedy Space Centre seconded. Have been twice. If driving just be aware there are tolls, the kind where you have to stop and pay so make sure you have coins/cash on you that day.

[deesun]

Originally Posted by cs123

Orlando, go to NASA. Awesome place.

If you're in NYC go catch the Amtrack to Boston and/or Washington for overnighters.

Boston and Washington are both on the tour but thanks for the tip.

[josh1990]

The wife and I did a 5 week honeymoon in the states. We didn't do any tours, rather had a peek at the booklets and chose things to do ourselves to save the coin. We did Niagara (Canada side), New York, Vegas (flying between these destinations) and from Vegas we picked up a camper. In the camper we did Grand Canyon, Death Valley, up to Reno and across to coast then down to LA (Big Sur, San Fran, Avenue of Giants etc on way down). It was a ****ing amazing trip, can't wait to go back. I'd never fly between destinations again, the speed limits were 75mph in some places so get places quick and you don't miss the **** you do in the sky. I drove 5000km in 3 weeks and it didn't even feel like it.

Next time we go back, it'll be fly into New York and pick up a camper, down the east coast and across the bottom and fly out of L.A. This gives the freedom to see whatever we like, at whatever speed we like (wife did a Contiki tour in Europe and it was nothing short of rushed).

New York Pass would be ok, but only if you plan on seeing EVERYTHING. Empire state? No try 'Top of the Rock's. Amazing views of Central Park etc. Statue of Liberty, we had no intention of climbing into the head with every other tourist. So we took the free ferry to Staten Island and got to see her (our DSLR picked up photos easily). That satisfied what we wanted to see of Libby, you may want to see closer. We used the subway for transport, or walking. No need for cabs, no need for overpriced tour buses. Any questions feel free to ask

[Mercury Bullet]

If in Florida, Sebring race track.

Hire a gt350r the for the day and drive it like a hire car.

[Adamz Ghia]

The New York pass is a bit hit and miss, you’ve really got to work out if it’s worth it for you before you buy it. I highly recommend seeing a show on Broadway, Museum Of Natural History is beyond words, I advise going to the One World Trade centre and Sept 11 Memorial towards the end of your day as that place does something to your soul, check out an NBA game, and ride the subway, you don’t even have to go anywhere specific, you just see some good sights and meet great people on there and might catch some flash performers. Statue Of Liberty is hit and miss, don’t be shattered if you miss it.

Little Italy just off 5th makes great pizzas, as does SBarro in Times Square. Virgles is a great BBQ smoke house, Garret’s Popcorn is worth an airfare on its own.

For the theme parks make use of the fast passes and look up which rides need them more than others. You only get so many per day so don’t waste them on rides that have short wait times. Get a park hopper pass and as said, Epcot is nice and laid back, and the night show is comparable with Magic Kindom. Universal Studios damned nearly killed me, those rides are something else!

[383hq]

Circle line tours is a must (boat trip around the island)

for consideration
Pop into grand central station, flash as, just a bit bigger then Sydney/Melbourne, but smaller then those in China....

Empire state building.

Outside NYC, If you're going anywhere near Michigan - Ford museum (naturally) in Dearborn, anywhere near Ohio, Dayton air force museum (needs two days), Any college ice hockey match.

You can only jam so much into one trip, but remember you can sleep on the plane flight back....

[Ross 1]

Last time we were in NY we got a 4 day family tourist bus pass for about $240 US, which equals $15pp per day for all our transport. It is very touristy but it was great for hopping on and off and you know the next one is every 20 minutes no matter where you end up. It goes to Brooklyn and all the way up to Harlem, all the way around Manhattan etc.
Best pizza ever was Lombardi's. http://www.firstpizza.com

[cheap]

Here is the backbone of the trip I have done, you can take as long as you want, add or remove cities.

Fly into LA and then fly straight to Vegas.
Las Vegas. Stay 3 Days.
Drive back to LA. 1 Day Drive
Stay in LA. 3 Days.
Drive to San Fran (via Highway 1). 3 Days.
Stay in San Fransisco. 3 days
Drive to Denver. 3 Days.
Fly to Orlando
Orlando. Stay 3 Days.
Train to New Orleans. Overnight
New Orleans. Stay 3 Days
Train to Memphis. 1 Day
Memphis. Stay 3 Days
Fly to NYC. Stay 9 Days
Drive to DC. Stay 3 Day.
Fly Home.

[Express]

In Lower Manhattan just a short walk from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in the East River there is helicopter flight services which include sightseeing with Liberty Helicopter Tours of NYC.

They take you along the Hudson River from the Statue of Liberty to the George Washington Bridge and back where can see Manhattan, it’s a great view.

While you're in the area take an opportunity to hop on the Staten Island Ferry.


https://www.libertyhelicopter.com/

https://www.libertyhelicopter.com/st...vate-tour.html



While in New York jump on a bus tour and take a day trip to Boston where you’ll be taken on a guided tour of Harvard, the city sites, the USS Constitution Museum where you can board the ship plus shown some good seafood places where you can choose to eat. They’ll pick you up from and drop you off at your hotel.




If you’re in San Francisco take a tour over the Golden Gate Bridge out to Muir Woods National Monument & Sausalito and check out the 800 year old Redwood trees, the highest being 260 feet (79 meters) plus they throw in stops at a couple of the Golden Gate Bridge lookouts .

You haven’t see a tree until you’ve seen a Redwood in all it’s glory.

https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm





.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by Express

In Lower Manhattan just a short walk from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in the East River there is helicopter flight services which include sightseeing with Liberty Helicopter Tours of NYC.

They take you along the Hudson River from the Statue of Liberty to the George Washington Bridge and back where can see Manhattan, it’s a great view.

While you're in the area take an opportunity to hop on the Staten Island Ferry.


https://www.libertyhelicopter.com/

https://www.libertyhelicopter.com/st...vate-tour.html



While in New York jump on a bus tour and take a day trip to Boston where you’ll be taken on a guided tour of Harvard, the city sites, the USS Constitution Museum where you can board the ship plus shown some good seafood places where you can choose to eat. They’ll pick you up from and drop you off at your hotel.




If you’re in San Francisco take a tour over the Golden Gate Bridge out to Muir Woods National Monument & Sausalito and check out the 800 year old Redwood trees, the highest being 260 feet (79 meters) plus they throw in stops at a couple of the Golden Gate Bridge lookouts .

You haven’t see a tree until you’ve seen a Redwood in all it’s glory.

https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm





.

$2000 USD for 20 minutes in a single squirrel?
I really hope you didn't pay that much.

We have a twin squirrel which is twice as expensive to run and I can assure you it's nothing like $6000/hr. Not even close.

[Giant Cranium]

in nyc hit central park but do the top half of the park, them lower half is so touristy.

start at 90th street on the upper east side (grab a flat white at bluestone lane across the rd) and walk north and you will hit conservatory gardens, its an awesome little gated garden, then head around the harlem meer. a lap around that and you will get to the ice skating rink/pool depending on time of year and head up the loch walking trail, that will take you to my favourite place in nyc which is 'the pool' (you will see an awesome rustic bridge that i built) then follow it down to the belvedere castle and great lawn. that should be a nice 4-5 hours.

also don't go looking for the 'friends fountain' it isn't there but tour companies will have you believe it and take stupid photos of you jumping infront of the wrong fountain.

if you need any more nyc advice pm me and ill send you some ideas

[Jastel]

In New York the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier is worth a visit...has military planes, a concorde and a space shuttle.

Washington has the Smithsonians, do the Air and Space one in the city and the Udvar Hazy one out at Dulles airport.

Philadelphia is a short train ride away, Liberty Bell, Declaration of Independance, Rocky Steps etc

[Jastel]

About US$150 - $200 for the chopper flights...

There are a few choices of company/chopper/flight lengths.

Well worth doing in good weather but.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by Jastel

About US$150 - $200 for the chopper flights...

There are a few choices of company/chopper/flight lengths.

Well worth doing in good weather but.

That's more like it.
That $2000 Is for 5 seats but that's still $400/seat. Be very wary of that company.

Single engine jet powered helicopters should hire out @ around $2000/hr depending on model as a rough figure.

Yeah well worth it if you've never been in a chopper before. British Columbia would be my choice of location though.

[FTE217]

IF your a real Ford man got to visit Detroit and the Ford Museum !
Did it just a week and half ago, amazing day but you need 2 days to check out the Village as well.

[deesun]

Gee wow thanks fellas, I haven't been back here for a few days and so many great ideas.
Firstly thanks, we have a NY Pass book which was given to us with plenty of places in it and shedloads free stuff too and wifey has found anther one NY Sightseeing Pass which, at first glance looks cheaper and more flexible. Stat of Lib will be booked either way before we go and I think both of us will head to the top. 911 Mem is a def so thanks for the late in the day tip. Top of the Rocks, Emp State was also a def and Stat Is ferry, + Intrepid for sure. The chopper rides look great but we are already 9 weeks away and so far over what we thought we would spend but who knows. We are just saying fk it we are only going once lets just spend it, lol. Ford Museum would be fantastic but I think too far from NY. I am already indulging in the NASCAR race but gee Sebring that's a thought. DARLING how many more nights can we eat baked beans on toast if we go there???? We are staying v close to Times Square so Central Park will be a def, thanks for the tips there GC, probably hire bikes to help us around and there are so many Broadway Shows we just have to decide which one. We were told Brooklyn Bridge/Dumbo worth a look pos Manhatten Bridge too. NY certainly has plenty to do and eat so we wont be short of either. Thanks again.

[sgt_doofey]

If you're going to go see some sports like NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, then look at seeing games with smaller, less popular teams. Will cost you less.

The alternative is to go and see college sports. I believe it's even more of a spectacle than the major leagues!

Having said that, I've paid ~AU$300 per person to see a LA Lakers game back in 2003. Saw Kobe Bryant and Shaq play.

Most sports like NHL, MLB and NFL has some good, cheap seats. Don't expect to be close to the action though.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by deesun

Gee wow thanks fellas, I haven't been back here for a few days and so many great ideas.
Firstly thanks, we have a NY Pass book which was given to us with plenty of places in it and shedloads free stuff too and wifey has found anther one NY Sightseeing Pass which, at first glance looks cheaper and more flexible. Stat of Lib will be booked either way before we go and I think both of us will head to the top. 911 Mem is a def so thanks for the late in the day tip. Top of the Rocks, Emp State was also a def and Stat Is ferry, + Intrepid for sure. The chopper rides look great but we are already 9 weeks away and so far over what we thought we would spend but who knows. We are just saying fk it we are only going once lets just spend it, lol. Ford Museum would be fantastic but I think too far from NY. I am already indulging in the NASCAR race but gee Sebring that's a thought. DARLING how many more nights can we eat baked beans on toast if we go there???? We are staying v close to Times Square so Central Park will be a def, thanks for the tips there GC, probably hire bikes to help us around and there are so many Broadway Shows we just have to decide which one. We were told Brooklyn Bridge/Dumbo worth a look pos Manhatten Bridge too. NY certainly has plenty to do and eat so we wont be short of either. Thanks again.

in nyc remember that its the city that opens late, nearly no point being out before 10am, if you are you will be dealing with locals and workers and they don't want to deal with you. also if you don't have to line up to eat don't eat there. nyc food is either great (lines) or so crap you want to pay them to take it away

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by deesun

Gee wow thanks fellas, I haven't been back here for a few days and so many great ideas.
Firstly thanks, we have a NY Pass book which was given to us with plenty of places in it and shedloads free stuff too and wifey has found anther one NY Sightseeing Pass which, at first glance looks cheaper and more flexible. Stat of Lib will be booked either way before we go and I think both of us will head to the top. 911 Mem is a def so thanks for the late in the day tip. Top of the Rocks, Emp State was also a def and Stat Is ferry, + Intrepid for sure. The chopper rides look great but we are already 9 weeks away and so far over what we thought we would spend but who knows. We are just saying fk it we are only going once lets just spend it, lol. Ford Museum would be fantastic but I think too far from NY. I am already indulging in the NASCAR race but gee Sebring that's a thought. DARLING how many more nights can we eat baked beans on toast if we go there???? We are staying v close to Times Square so Central Park will be a def, thanks for the tips there GC, probably hire bikes to help us around and there are so many Broadway Shows we just have to decide which one. We were told Brooklyn Bridge/Dumbo worth a look pos Manhatten Bridge too. NY certainly has plenty to do and eat so we wont be short of either. Thanks again.

don't hire bikes in the park, you can only ride them on the drives and not on the paths.

regards to broadway, if you only go to one make it hamilton, that show was incredible and if it ever makes it to australia i would pay up to a grand to see it again

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

regards to broadway, if you only go to one make it hamilton

I saw Christie Brinkley in Chicago myself.

[Bill M]

We went to the east coast, San Francisco, Vegas, Disneyland etc for 2 weeks this time last year. Left all my preconceptions at home.We absolutely loved it. Great hospitable people and a terrific country to visit. Much better than the impression we are given by our media.
Safe travels.

Bill.

[MDS69]

Just got back from the US 10 days ago.
In NY buy a 7 day unlimited subway pass from the ticket booth for $33.00. Also does the buses but we didn’t use them. We did Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, 911 memorial. Free ferry to Staten Island to look at Statue of Liberty. Used the subway heaps and also did a lot of walking.
Went to an NFL game at MetLife Stadium in NJ. Caught the subway from our hotel near W56th St to Grand Central Station then got a bus $6.00 each way to the stadium and back. Subway ticket won’t get you on this bus. Just follow everyone else wearing a football jersey to find the bus. The wife was freaking out a bit on not knowing where to get the bus as my research didn’t give turn by turn instructions but like I said follow everyone else.
Try and get tickets to Jimmy Fallon show. Google it. I think the free tickets are released 30 days prior to the date you want to go. We missed out.
For phones we just walked into an AT&T store and for I think for $35-40 we got new SIM cards with unlimited national calls and sms + 1Gb download but try to use your hotel or other free wifi where you can. We found this much easier than buying a SIM card in Walmart and doing it yourself like we did on another trip.
At Grand Central Station there is a thing called the whispering wall. Pretty cool thing. Google it.
Keep a bunch of dollar bills in your pocket for tips, drinks, snacks etc. much easier than digging your wallet out all the time.
Don’t accept CD from hawkers on the street or have photos with the people in superheroes costumes in Times Square. They all sting you for money and the CDs will be blank.
Remember to walk on the right side of the footpath.
Try and book your sightseeing thinks like top of the rock and Empire State Building etc before you leave home. Try for a sunset time slot. Close to and in Central Park you w8ll be harrased for tours or horse drawn carriage rides. Just so no thanks and keep walking unless you are interested but they won’t leave you alone if you show interest. Same in Battery Park near the Staten Is ferry for Statue of Liberty tours.
I have been told the One World viewing platform is nothing special but basically an empty office suite but we didn’t do it where as Rockerfella and Empire have outdoor viewing platforms.

As Bill said above they are lovely people who are very proud. In NY if anyone bumps into you no matter how nice or rough they look they will apologise, well that was our experience.

Look for info on trip advisor. Some posts might be a little old but still helpful.