US Holiday

Remove this Banner Ad

Status
Not open for further replies.
Bumping this thread.

Mate of mine is in NYC now, having the time of his life by all reports. This city has infected my brain, every time I see photos etc something strikes me, whether it was the smell of a hot dog or the biting cold wind or that feeling of awe looking over the city at night.

Another mate is off over there later this year, going to see the Mets play by all reports. Anyway I am just looking at some photos trying to think of what were my NYC highlights. A top 5 moments type thing.

1. Top of the Rock: huge rush looking over the city from here. It was so familiar from photos and films etc but awesome all the same.
2. NY Jets game: train ride, tailgate, beer, game day was awesome.
3. Brooklyn: all the way down to Coney Island on a freezing, sunny day for a hot dog and stroll on the boardwalk.
4. Times Square: felt like the centre of the universe, proposed to my now fiance there.
5. Boat ride out Lady Liberty: just blew me away, freezing cold but that first decent view of the Statue and of the skyline was incredible.
 
I'm going to the States in May for two months for a holiday, initially with a friend and we're seeing NY, the North-East (a bus tour around Boston, Niagara Falls, South-Eastern Canada), Washington DC, Vegas and a couple of days in LA before they leave. That's all in about three-four weeks, and beyond that I'm by my lonesome. The above itinerary can't really be changed.

Just wondering if a budget of approximately $120 a day would be sufficient if I'm staying in hostels, travelling by bus and whatnot for the duration. A vague itinerary is after LA fly to Chicago and work my way southward through Indianapolis, Memphis, possibly Atlanta, New Orleans and onto Texas. I've gotta be back at LAX for my flight home on the 8th July. Any suggestions/critiques/whatever are greatly appreciated thanks! Especially any particular advice on where to spend the 4th of July between Texas and LA.
 
SonOfScray said:
Bumping this thread.

Mate of mine is in NYC now, having the time of his life by all reports. This city has infected my brain, every time I see photos etc something strikes me, whether it was the smell of a hot dog or the biting cold wind or that feeling of awe looking over the city at night.

Another mate is off over there later this year, going to see the Mets play by all reports. Anyway I am just looking at some photos trying to think of what were my NYC highlights. A top 5 moments type thing.

1. Top of the Rock: huge rush looking over the city from here. It was so familiar from photos and films etc but awesome all the same.
2. NY Jets game: train ride, tailgate, beer, game day was awesome.
3. Brooklyn: all the way down to Coney Island on a freezing, sunny day for a hot dog and stroll on the boardwalk.
4. Times Square: felt like the centre of the universe, proposed to my now fiance there.
5. Boat ride out Lady Liberty: just blew me away, freezing cold but that first decent view of the Statue and of the skyline was incredible.
Click to expand...

Thanks for bringing back the memories. There is just something about New York... I don't quite know what it is. It very much feels like the centre of the universe. Would love to work there for a year or two.

Going to a Yankees vs Boston game was one of my highlights, and like you say that first close-up glimpse of the statue of liberty... also (probably repeating myself here) recommend people get the crown tickets to the statue.. only $20 or so but you skip the long long line and you get to climb up the liberty and look out the top!

New York just took my breath away, and as each day passes my love for it grows. I just want to go back there.
 

Log in to remove this ad.

SonOfScray said:
Bumping this thread.

Mate of mine is in NYC now, having the time of his life by all reports. This city has infected my brain, every time I see photos etc something strikes me, whether it was the smell of a hot dog or the biting cold wind or that feeling of awe looking over the city at night.

Another mate is off over there later this year, going to see the Mets play by all reports. Anyway I am just looking at some photos trying to think of what were my NYC highlights. A top 5 moments type thing.

1. Top of the Rock: huge rush looking over the city from here. It was so familiar from photos and films etc but awesome all the same.
2. NY Jets game: train ride, tailgate, beer, game day was awesome.
3. Brooklyn: all the way down to Coney Island on a freezing, sunny day for a hot dog and stroll on the boardwalk.
4. Times Square: felt like the centre of the universe, proposed to my now fiance there.
5. Boat ride out Lady Liberty: just blew me away, freezing cold but that first decent view of the Statue and of the skyline was incredible.
Click to expand...

I'll do mine.
1. Knicks Vs Bulls on Christmas day at Madison Square Garden
2. Climbing to the crown of the Statue of Liberty
3. Top of the Rock
4. Times Square
5. Simply walking and exploring the amazing city
 
Clippers vs suns was entertaining, completely stuffed from disney etc!
 
Anyone going to the states at the moment will love the conversion rate. Above parity and heading north. :thumbsu::thumbsu:
 
Is more than one day necessary for any of the theme parks in California to see/do everything? (no kids)

I've got 5 days in Anaheim (planning to go to Magic Mountain from there) and a few in LA. I was thinking of doing 2 at Magic Mountain (I'm guessing this'll be my favourite), 2 at Disney Land and 1 at Knotts Berry in Anaheim and then 1 at Universal.
 
NitroFan said:
Is more than one day necessary for any of the theme parks in California to see/do everything? (no kids)

I've got 5 days in Anaheim (planning to go to Magic Mountain from there) and a few in LA. I was thinking of doing 2 at Magic Mountain (I'm guessing this'll be my favourite), 2 at Disney Land and 1 at Knotts Berry in Anaheim and then 1 at Universal.
Click to expand...

In my opinion 1 is more than enough. I have heard some people say otherwise but I don't understand how.
 
NitroFan said:
Is more than one day necessary for any of the theme parks in California to see/do everything? (no kids)

I've got 5 days in Anaheim (planning to go to Magic Mountain from there) and a few in LA. I was thinking of doing 2 at Magic Mountain (I'm guessing this'll be my favourite), 2 at Disney Land and 1 at Knotts Berry in Anaheim and then 1 at Universal.
Click to expand...

1 at magic mountain should be enough - from anaheim it's a good hour and a half drive though

there's two parks at disneyland and if you don't have kids a day at each would be enough

use a day to go to Santa Monica or drive to San Diego and go to Sea World or the zoo - the drive is about two hours from memory
 
Don't rate universal, the tour was good but that was it! Disney depends on the time of the year and if you want to go on the rides. ATM it's spring break here and you spend 45 mins plus in each line! Got dragged on an la tour by the wife today, don't bother.. although Venice beach was interesting
 
A couple of clothes shopping questions for anyone who's been to the USA:

When jeans shopping, do they tend to have racks with different lengths for all waist sizes?

What were you favourite places to shop?

Many thanks in advance!
 
Freakie said:
Don't rate universal, the tour was good but that was it! Disney depends on the time of the year and if you want to go on the rides. ATM it's spring break here and you spend 45 mins plus in each line! Got dragged on an la tour by the wife today, don't bother.. although Venice beach was interesting
Click to expand...

We loved Universal although we bought Front of Line passes when we didn't really need to. If it is a busy period, people should splurge and get them to make sure you get on to everything right away. Time is of the essence. We enjoyed the other rides too (Simpsons ride is a must ... over and over). Tour is excellent though, the 3D King Kong is mind blowing. The views are spectacular as well.

We went on a private tour for $60 per hour and they really looked after us. We chose where we wanted to go, and with four of us, got celebrity gravesites, homes, rodeo drive, Santa Monica for lunch, Brentwood, past Bel Air, the long drive around Mulholland the excellent views of the San Fernando Valley, the best Hollywood sign shot spots. We stayed in Hollywood so did not need to do anything there, that's the secret.

American Riviera Tours - highly recommend them.
 
Dreambomber said:
A couple of clothes shopping questions for anyone who's been to the USA:

When jeans shopping, do they tend to have racks with different lengths for all waist sizes?
Click to expand...

Depends on the store. Much the same as over here I expect.

What were you favourite places to shop?

Many thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Again, depends on where you go.

Las Vegas - The Outlet Centres are awesome. South End of the strip the cheapest.

New York ... can't remember the name of it. It's sort of where Broadway meets 6th around about 35th. We went crazy decking ourselves out. So cheap. Will have to think of it or take a walk on street view.

Anywhere else, Walmart is cheap as chips. Get your alcohol from here too ... whoa, cheaper than drinking water.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

This thread is making me very excited for my US holiday in June.
 
SonOfScray said:
Yep, Vegas Premium Outlets was terrific. Catch the Deuce up there, go nuts.
Click to expand...

Do not catch the sieve up there unless u want to spend most of your day waiting for one that you can squeeze into! Catch a cab, cost about $7 depending on where you are on the strip!
 
NitroFan said:
Is more than one day necessary for any of the theme parks in California to see/do everything? (no kids)

I've got 5 days in Anaheim (planning to go to Magic Mountain from there) and a few in LA. I was thinking of doing 2 at Magic Mountain (I'm guessing this'll be my favourite), 2 at Disney Land and 1 at Knotts Berry in Anaheim and then 1 at Universal.
Click to expand...

That sounds about right to me. We only did Disneyland and Universal. One day is fine for Universal but I think you'll need two days in Disney so you can check out California Adventure too.
 
What are the ATM bank fees like?

Is it easy to find the equivalent of the Commonwealth Bank in the US?

I don't want to carry 100's of dollars around with me, nor do i want to use my card for every transaction or get slugged $3 bucks for using a ATM not complainant with my bank.
 
alex_is_on_fire said:
What are the ATM bank fees like?

Is it easy to find the equivalent of the Commonwealth Bank in the US?

I don't want to carry 100's of dollars around with me, nor do i want to use my card for every transaction or get slugged $3 bucks for using a ATM not complainant with my bank.
Click to expand...

You can try a prepaid Travelex debit card, available in a swag of currencies depending on where you're going. I used one on my trip to Europe last year. You can cash out what's left over after the trip too.
 
Either get a travelex pre paid card from Aussie post or a commonwealth bank pre paid travel card (it's a visa). You pay no commission for the traveled but the rate is usually lower than the cb card (which you pay 10 bucks to load). I fly home tomorrow, been awesome fun here!
 
Na, don't want to do that. Will just go into the Commonwealth bank and find out who they are affiliated with.
 
All the atm's will charge you a min of $2.50 regardless of who your card is with. Just withdraw a few hundred each time
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Remove this Banner Ad

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top