Travel USA travel tips and tricks

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Thanks, yeah I'll probably print them off just to be sure. It would be just my luck that mine would be the one that didn't process properly.

With all the forms/confirmation slips/bookings/tickets I've printed off, I'm starting to accumulate quite a pile of stuff.

Yes, and if you book everything separately, it adds up. I had 15 flights, 7 hotel bookings, city passes, attractions, tours, shuttles, an itinerary I typed up, and copies of passports and visas, all in a folder. Fair bit of weight in it. Fortunately, you can take a carry on bag and an extra item like a laptop on flights so I put all my paperwork in the side zip of my laptop and emptied my pockets into the bag everytime I went through security at the airports. Saved emptying heaps of crap into those plastic tubs, and saved me having to add the weight into our already full luggage.

 

[doppleganger]

Dallas V Portland in the NBA Plus a mate lives in Dallas.

Fair enough.

When in a city with a friend you end up having a much better time I found, you get to check out some actual quality places...instead of the toursit hotspots.

So would seriously consider staying in the BigD for your entire time in Texas.

Im also going to try to fit in some sports games, i personally dont give two S**t's about Boston however my mate is hell keen, and yeah with Niagra falls We'll probably scrap it and go to Toronto

Indeed, may luck out and get an NHL game...or even a playoff NHL game!

 

[jk20]

Hey Guys,
Heading over to the states mid this year for a month (mid june-mid july).
Going to New York for a week, then Vegas for a week, San Fran for 5 days, LA for 4 days and the a few days at disneyland to finish it off.
Already got tickets to see a few games of the baseball, but just wanting your advice on any other things you guys think are must do's, anything we can do in each city.
Also if anyone has general tips and advice before I head over would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

 

[red+black]

Vegas for a week ...

... is a long time. Go to the Stratosphere Tower, if you like, for the differing views do it once during the day and once at night. Get to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. Ride the Deuce (bus) one night into the City Center. Go to the Outlet Mall. See some shows, I can recommend Carrot Top at Luxor and O at Bellagio. Keep an eye on the comedy listings, you might be able to catch Jerry Seinfeld or Ray Romano or Dave Chappelle or Bill Burr if they're in town. Check out the Bellagio fountain show. Spend some just walking through the casinos, MGM, Caesar's Paris, Venetian, City Center, etc.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Planning a trip to the US for about 6 weeks at the end of the year. With the US Dollar getting so high at the moment was thinking of cashing some in now. Was thinking of using a pre-paid Mastercard travel card. Is this the best way to go with using money over there? Or is there a better way with less fees etc?

Got home today, 2nd trip to the usa in a months and both times used the travelex pre-paid Mastercard.

It was very easy to use. If you have a diamond visa card with the commonwealth bank, the fees are waived and free for their moneycard but either the travelex one or the commonwealth bank one is pretty good.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

I'm heading off to the US on the 16th for a few weeks. Can't wait. Question: Once I've done those $14 ESTA form things, do I need to print them off and carry them with me? Or is it enough just to register and pay? I last went to the US in 2005 and I didn't need that form then as I recall.

Supposed to be in their system but I didn't take any chances and printed it and carried it anyway. They never asked for it though so I assume the system read the passport and linked it with the pre-approval.

I did the same as ODNB just in case, but if you have a new passport and it has a chip in it, you will be fine.

 

[peejay]

Ok, here;s my plan of attack

4 nights in Boston
4 nights in new York
)

how are you getting from boston to New york?

My suggestion hire a car and drive - cut a night out of boston and go to Cooperstown which is on the way from Boston to NYC - stay the night and visit the Baseball hall of Fame. 4hrs Bos - to coopers, 4 hrs coopers to NYC

The town itself is the prettiest small town i have ever seen anywhere in my life - the Hall of fame is just a sports lover's bonus.

http://www.thisiscooperstown.com/


Click on the photo of the town with the lake in the background.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

However the information on the website is poor, very poor.

So:
1. Does a cruise line operate like a hotel in regards to $400 per room (can be split 2/3 ways) or is it a per person arrangement?

No, cruise ships are per person, not per room. Sorry. It would be nice but.

2. Has anyone here ever done a cruise? What was your experience like and any recommendations?

Yes, went on a cruise around the Hawaiian islands and it was to put it simply, spectacular. You will enjoy every moment of the trip. Only cost on the boat will be for alcohol. Some can be a bit pricey but they are worth it.

4. Do the cruises usually sell out (difficult to answer I know, as all cruises would be different but any guide would be helpful) or are they able to be booked last minute?

Too hard to actually say, it would depend on your port of departure.

If say your departure port is in Florida, Hawaii or even California, San Diago or San Francisco to cruise around the Bahamas, I would say not likely due to how many companies run them. However, if they do, I would imagine you would only have to wait a few days (if that) for an opening.

If you're leaving from Australia and willing to fly into an American port, you should get your key dates with no trouble if you're willing to look around.

Any help greatly appreciated by me and my mates

Hope that has helped.

 

[wce4premiership]

Helps heaps cheers.
Have found some better websites since and some good deals and am very keen tbh. We will be leaving from a port in florida, more than likely miami.

 

[The_Todd07]

I'm planning an aroung the world trip in 2014 and one leg will be the US.
My original plan was to a couple of contiki tours that take in most of the country. I've now decided to go with something a little more ambitious, I am going to watch a match at every Major League Baseball stadium. I'm going to take my time with it and spend about take about 2-2.5 months seeing the country with baseball providing the path I take

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

I'm planning an aroung the world trip in 2014 and one leg will be the US.
My original plan was to a couple of contiki tours that take in most of the country. I've now decided to go with something a little more ambitious, I am going to watch a match at every Major League Baseball stadium. I'm going to take my time with it and spend about take about 2-2.5 months seeing the country with baseball providing the path I take

Awesome plan. Sounds like a mega trip.

I'd love to do something like this but would get bored after 4 or 5 stadiums. Getting to and from the cites and viewing the stadiums would be a gun move but watching game after game wouldn't be so much fun. Unless you we're able to follow one team but that would be back and forth to much.

Good luck and post some photos if you get it done.

 

[cammania]

I'm planning an aroung the world trip in 2014 and one leg will be the US.
My original plan was to a couple of contiki tours that take in most of the country. I've now decided to go with something a little more ambitious, I am going to watch a match at every Major League Baseball stadium. I'm going to take my time with it and spend about take about 2-2.5 months seeing the country with baseball providing the path I take

Good idea bloke.

When I'm going it's for sports. Going to a heap of stadiums for tours and games.
Going to be pretty freakin good I hope

 

[peejay]

I'm planning an aroung the world trip in 2014 and one leg will be the US.
My original plan was to a couple of contiki tours that take in most of the country. I've now decided to go with something a little more ambitious, I am going to watch a match at every Major League Baseball stadium. I'm going to take my time with it and spend about take about 2-2.5 months seeing the country with baseball providing the path I take

Wow that is awesome - see my post a few back up and go to Cooperstown as well.

You'll love it !

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Good idea bloke.

When I'm going it's for sports. Going to a heap of stadiums for tours and games.
Going to be pretty freakin good I hope

Correct me of I am wrong, but are you hoping to do a tour of a sport stadium? (that's the way I read it)

I maybe wrong but I was sort of given the impression whist in the states that you can not do a tour of major sports venues. Unlike Australia, they don't give tours or just allow randoms (no offence) into the venue without a ticket.

 

[The_Todd07]

Wow that is awesome - see my post a few back up and go to Cooperstown as well.

You'll love it !

Without a doubt Cooperstown will be in there

Correct me of I am wrong, but are you hoping to do a tour of a sport stadium? (that's the way I read it)

I maybe wrong but I was sort of given the impression whist in the states that you can not do a tour of major sports venues. Unlike Australia, they don't give tours or just allow randoms (no offence) into the venue without a ticket.

Last night when I had the idea I did a google search to see how other people had gone about the same thing. Found one guys who rang, emailed and borderline harassed all the teams to see what they could offer. Ended up getting 15 teams give him free tickets while a bunch more gave him private tours of the stadiums. Also got a special tour at Cooperstown

Edit: By the looks of it Major League stadiums conduct tours, at least I was 3/3 searching Fenway, Yankee stadium and AT&T Park

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Last night when I had the idea I did a google search to see how other people had gone about the same thing. Found one guys who rang, emailed and borderline harassed all the teams to see what they could offer. Ended up getting 15 teams give him free tickets while a bunch more gave him private tours of the stadiums. Also got a special tour at Cooperstown

Edit: By the looks of it Major League stadiums conduct tours, at least I was 3/3 searching Fenway, Yankee stadium and AT&T Park

Nice work young Jedi, that would be sweet.

I was working off information from NBA stadiums but good luck with it. Going to Fenway Park and looking out at the big green monster from home base would be epic.

 

[kirky]

Travelling to the USA in November this year for what will be the 9th trip to North America (covering both USA and Canada). It certainly helps when you have people to stay with (ex-Aussies who got a green card in 2000) and will be in Boston when the USA goes to vote for its next president on Nov 6th. A group of us are then heading off to Vegas for four nights for a birthday celebration (seems the usual thing to do over a weekend) and then back to Boston to spending Thanksgiving on the 22nd Nov.

Hopefully, will get to see a NFL game this time but know the New England Patriots games do sellout. In 2011, was lucky enough to see Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals (Ice Hockey) in Vancouver.

 

[cammania]

Correct me of I am wrong, but are you hoping to do a tour of a sport stadium? (that's the way I read it)

Correct
Many stadiums have tours most days.
Here's a very early list.
A.T and T park. /San Fransico Giants-MLB
Rangers stadium. Texas Rangers MLB
Cowboys stadium. Dallas Cowboys NFL
Yankee stadium. NEW YORK YANKEES-MLB
Madison Square Garden- New York Knicks (amongst other events) NBA.
Citified-New York Mets-MLB
MetLife Stadium: new York giants and new York jets-NFL
Fenway park
Astros stadium
American airlines centre
Gillette stadium

There are at least another half dozen I've looked at at the moment. Some listed are givens, some are probables. And some were there just cos you never know if you'll get there or worth going etc.
Tours are tours: some offer walks on field, many show the press areas and rooms, most show clubhouses/ dressing rooms. Take you to most parts of stadiums high and low. Etc etc.

That stuff interests me. Think an MCG tour except at these stadiums and tour guides are yanks.

Then there's London.
Wembley
Liverpool
Manchester

Teams/ places that have tours etc.

Going to be a fricken hoot if you ask me. So every time I watch a gem I can go "hey I've been there and walked the hallowed turf, and so you know, they sell on average 17,000 hotdogs a game and the blue seat up there is the longest recorded hit and blah blah blah"

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

I'm jealous.

I got home today from the states and all I did was sit in a university lecture hall in Washington State talking about the importance of cognitive development in adolescent teens.

Yeah, I'm way cool.

 

[Stone in sock]

Thinking of spending a weekend on Catalina Island . Anyone been and is it worth the trip ?

Oh and accommodation recommendations would be welcome .

Thanks .

 

[The Redeemer]

I'm planning an aroung the world trip in 2014 and one leg will be the US.
My original plan was to a couple of contiki tours that take in most of the country. I've now decided to go with something a little more ambitious, I am going to watch a match at every Major League Baseball stadium. I'm going to take my time with it and spend about take about 2-2.5 months seeing the country with baseball providing the path I take

Do not be offended when i type this but get balls and don't go on a Contiki Tour in America.

Why oh why?

It is an English speaking country with everything so easily accessible so why do you need to be mothered around in such a country?

In a third-world Asian nation with transportation problems etc then by all means however America is anything but...

 

[Hard Ball Get]

I'm with you.
Contiki is just not the way to travel.
particularly in English speaking countries and ESPECIALLY in the States.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Yep, I'm a 3rd against contiki tours in the USA.

Getting around the USA is so easy and so much more fun. You get far better memories going your own way (not contiki) IMO.

Traveling by yourself would be the only exception to doing a contiki your.

 

[cammania]

This topic always pops up.
Me personally, I want to do a contiki before and after my states trip.
That is. Do like the southern tour, then do my time in America doing what I want, then finish off with a contiki across the top of the USA.

I say that as there is so much to do in the states seeing it all would take more than 6 weeks and more than my allocated budget.
I want to meet new people and make new friends and possibly be a little out of my comfort zone.

Also, friends of mine who have done the contiki tours over the US have all loved it. And highly recommend it.
I'm going to be a 27yo probably single male when I go. It has been suggested that I will certainly enjoy.

 

[The Redeemer]

This topic always pops up.
Me personally, I want to do a contiki before and after my states trip.
That is. Do like the southern tour, then do my time in America doing what I want, then finish off with a contiki across the top of the USA.

I say that as there is so much to do in the states seeing it all would take more than 6 weeks and more than my allocated budget.
I want to meet new people and make new friends and possibly be a little out of my comfort zone.

Also, friends of mine who have done the contiki tours over the US have all loved it. And highly recommend it.
I'm going to be a 27yo probably single male when I go. It has been suggested that I will certainly enjoy.

If you are remotely social you will meet people.

If you are remotely social you will jag American girls or low and behold Aussie/Euro girls...

It isn't hard...