Travel USA travel tips and tricks

[revo333]

The beaches south of LAX, Huntington down to Laguna, even further down to San Diego , their all pretty good beaches .

Manhattan to Hermosa is glorious.

Although I fear now with the Malibu fires that celebrities might go there now instead and it will become a tourist trap like Venice.

 

[Worm4]

Manhattan to Hermosa is glorious.

Although I fear now with the Malibu fires that celebrities might go there now instead and it will become a tourist trap like Venice.

Nah, they'll start rebuilding there soon . Clearing all the rubble has commenced. Maybe they will learn from past mistakes like we did with the Kinglake fires . Pallisades still got the spectacular views looking down on Malibu to the right, and Santa Monica/ venice to the left. Those cleared blocks alone are worth sqillions

 

[X_box_X]

Do you know where you are staying?

I can't remember which post it was that I originally quoted.

Currently in stop three of our six stage trip. Carribean cruise was simply outstanding.

NOLA was cool, we lucked out being there for the Mardi Gras. Didn't aim for it, just worked out.

Day 2 of Orlando today. Hollywood studios was cool.

 

[Worm4]

Day 2 of Orlando today. Hollywood studios was cool.

Did you go on Tron ? That ride looks like the bees knees

 

[X_box_X]

Did you go on Tron ? That ride looks like the bees knees

Tron has been my favourite ride so far. Two more theme parks to come.

 

[Iason]

I can't remember which post it was that I originally quoted.

Currently in stop three of our six stage trip. Carribean cruise was simply outstanding.

NOLA was cool, we lucked out being there for the Mardi Gras. Didn't aim for it, just worked out.

Day 2 of Orlando today. Hollywood studios was cool.

NOLA is fun, one of the only cities in the country that feels unique. Once you get to NYC post in this thread with what neighborhood you're in, I can recommend places that aren't too far.

 

[X_box_X]

Did you go on Tron ? That ride looks like the bees knees

Just finished up at my fourth theme park in five days.

A summary of my favourite rides:

Tron:
It's super impressive. The technology and engineering combined with a bit of adrenalin makes for a thrilling ride.

Rip rocket:
More adrenalin than Tron. The ride begins with a 90 degree ascent which gets the heart racing immediately. Lightening fast speed and sharp turns throughout makes for a great ride.

Hagrid's Motorbike:
This is the last ride I did and it had the longest wait time of any ride across the four parks. It's not hard to see why. There are several elements that makes this a cool ride. Fast speeds, sharp turns, an unexpected drop, darkness and a partial backward journey. The sharp turns at speed makes it feel like you're channeling a bit of Mick Doohan & Casey Stoner.

VelociCoaster:
Lightening fast speeds, a super powerful ride and IMO it offers the most adrenalin of all rides. A spinning upside down twist mid ride overlooking water is super cool. Several sharp turns where you think you're about to be decapitated accelerates your heart. At one stage when you think you have reached max speed it shifts into another gear and powers through a tunnel at such speed that not even Speedy Gonzales could keep up.

Special mention to some of the ride simulators. Absolutely incredible what they can do with technology these days. There's several to name but I'll narrow it down to my two favourite (both at Islands of Adventure).

1) Harry Potter
2) Spiderman

One final special mention as we go away from rides / simulators...

The Bourne Stuntacular at Universal Studios is incredible. I don't mean to harp on about technology and engineering so much, but this stunt show was unlike anything I've ever seen before. I was one of hundreds in the audience mesmerised by the props and actors on stage compared to the ones on screen and not being able to tell them apart. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

You can check out someone's recording here:



Walt Disney Carousel at Magical Kingdom

 

[SnakeMan86]

Too scary. Rides can get in the bin..

 

[X_box_X]

NOLA is fun, one of the only cities in the country that feels unique. Once you get to NYC post in this thread with what neighborhood you're in, I can recommend places that aren't too far.

I'm staying in Times Square.

I have a New York City pass.

I'm currently deciding what attractions to visit. Please feel free to recommend a few to accomodate the five days I'll be there.

 

[Shell]

I would love to do the 9/11 museum. I've seen the footprints/outside memorial but was about 6 months too early for the museum unfortunately

 

[Spirit Level]

I'm staying in Times Square.

I have a New York City pass.

I'm currently deciding what attractions to visit. Please feel free to recommend a few to accomodate the five days I'll be there.

Have a walk around Williamsburg and Bushwick, drink some coffee, eat some food, drink some great beer.

Try get into a taping of one of the late shows (Jimmy Fallon ect).

Spend a night at the comedy cellar

Go get the best slice at East Villlage Pizza

Hockey game at MSG if you can

 

[Iason]

I'm staying in Times Square.

I have a New York City pass.

I'm currently deciding what attractions to visit. Please feel free to recommend a few to accomodate the five days I'll be there.

The bad news-Times Square is kind of a dead zone for good food, nothing but chain restaurants and tourist traps. The good news is that you're in a transit hub, so it'll be easy to get around. In Times Square you are not far from Keens, which is a very old school and beloved steakhouse. For something quick, there is a Los Tacos No.1 location in Times Square, if you want something good and quick. As far as the NYC pass goes I just looked up what attractions are on there. If you want a good skyline view from up on high, it seems you can use the pass to get to the Top of the Rock, which I've heard is better than the Empire State Building Observatory.

If it's nice out, walk as much as you can. Walk the High Line, walk in Central Park, walk the Brooklyn Bridge. It really is a great way to take in the city. If you're in to museums, the new location of the Whitney is really nice, and your pass includes the Guggenheim which is worth checking out too. I'm a big fan of the MoMa, and if you're traveling with little ones they'll enjoy the Museum of Natural History.

I'd get some stuff that NYC is famous for. Pizza, if you're with people, go to Lombardi's or John's of Bleecker Street as they're two of the oldest in America and only do whole pies. Una Pizza Napoletana if you like Neapolitan style pizza. For a slice shop, Joe's is still pretty good, and L'Industrie has opened a West Village location. Definitely go to Katz's for a Reuben, and if you're in that neighborhood Russ and Daughters is good too for old NYC Jewish Deli comfort food. I'm not a huge bagel guy so I can't really recommend much, but if you cross into Brooklyn Frankel's is really, really good. For a red sauce joint experience, Sandro's is good stuff, lot of Italian-American classics on the menu. If you're in Chinatown, check out Super Taste, the dumplings are especially good.

Is there anything in particular you wanted to check out?

 

[offtherails9]

I would love to do the 9/11 museum. I've seen the footprints/outside memorial but was about 6 months too early for the museum unfortunately

It's one of those weird things where you're glad you did it but don't want to ever have to do it again. It is well done though.

Have a walk around Williamsburg and Bushwick, drink some coffee, eat some food, drink some great beer.

Try get into a taping of one of the late shows (Jimmy Fallon ect).

Spend a night at the comedy cellar

Go get the best slice at East Villlage Pizza

Hockey game at MSG if you can

Show at the Comedy Cellar was elite. Only thing I was worried about was getting up for a piss mid show after I'd had a couple beers.

 

[00Stinger]

Just finished up at my fourth theme park in five days.

A summary of my favourite rides:

Tron:
It's super impressive. The technology and engineering combined with a bit of adrenalin makes for a thrilling ride.

Rip rocket:
More adrenalin than Tron. The ride begins with a 90 degree ascent which gets the heart racing immediately. Lightening fast speed and sharp turns throughout makes for a great ride.

Hagrid's Motorbike:
This is the last ride I did and it had the longest wait time of any ride across the four parks. It's not hard to see why. There are several elements that makes this a cool ride. Fast speeds, sharp turns, an unexpected drop, darkness and a partial backward journey. The sharp turns at speed makes it feel like you're channeling a bit of Mick Doohan & Casey Stoner.

VelociCoaster:
Lightening fast speeds, a super powerful ride and IMO it offers the most adrenalin of all rides. A spinning upside down twist mid ride overlooking water is super cool. Several sharp turns where you think you're about to be decapitated accelerates your heart. At one stage when you think you have reached max speed it shifts into another gear and powers through a tunnel at such speed that not even Speedy Gonzales could keep up.

Special mention to some of the ride simulators. Absolutely incredible what they can do with technology these days. There's several to name but I'll narrow it down to my two favourite (both at Islands of Adventure).

1) Harry Potter
2) Spiderman

One final special mention as we go away from rides / simulators...

The Bourne Stuntacular at Universal Studios is incredible. I don't mean to harp on about technology and engineering so much, but this stunt show was unlike anything I've ever seen before. I was one of hundreds in the audience mesmerised by the props and actors on stage compared to the ones on screen and not being able to tell them apart. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

You can check out someone's recording here:



Walt Disney Carousel at Magical Kingdom

The Harry Potter ride is amazing, Spiderman also very cool

Do they still have the rock n roll coaster in Universal where you can play your own music?

 

[revo333]

I'm currently deciding what attractions to visit. Please feel free to recommend a few to accomodate the five days I'll be there.

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge.

I've been to New York twice and It's the thing that stands out the most that I remember.

 

[X_box_X]

Have a walk around Williamsburg and Bushwick, drink some coffee, eat some food, drink some great beer.

Try get into a taping of one of the late shows (Jimmy Fallon ect).

Spend a night at the comedy cellar

Go get the best slice at East Villlage Pizza

Hockey game at MSG if you can

The late shows from what I have researched prevent audience members under the age of 16. It means this isn't an option for us on our family holiday.

We went to an NHL match last night (Caps v Wings) and we're going to the Knicks v Wizards at MSG in four days.

Just about everyone is suggesting New York pizza and this is a given for us pizza eating lovers.

 

[X_box_X]

The bad news-Times Square is kind of a dead zone for good food, nothing but chain restaurants and tourist traps. The good news is that you're in a transit hub, so it'll be easy to get around. In Times Square you are not far from Keens, which is a very old school and beloved steakhouse. For something quick, there is a Los Tacos No.1 location in Times Square, if you want something good and quick. As far as the NYC pass goes I just looked up what attractions are on there. If you want a good skyline view from up on high, it seems you can use the pass to get to the Top of the Rock, which I've heard is better than the Empire State Building Observatory.

If it's nice out, walk as much as you can. Walk the High Line, walk in Central Park, walk the Brooklyn Bridge. It really is a great way to take in the city. If you're in to museums, the new location of the Whitney is really nice, and your pass includes the Guggenheim which is worth checking out too. I'm a big fan of the MoMa, and if you're traveling with little ones they'll enjoy the Museum of Natural History.

I'd get some stuff that NYC is famous for. Pizza, if you're with people, go to Lombardi's or John's of Bleecker Street as they're two of the oldest in America and only do whole pies. Una Pizza Napoletana if you like Neapolitan style pizza. For a slice shop, Joe's is still pretty good, and L'Industrie has opened a West Village location. Definitely go to Katz's for a Reuben, and if you're in that neighborhood Russ and Daughters is good too for old NYC Jewish Deli comfort food. I'm not a huge bagel guy so I can't really recommend much, but if you cross into Brooklyn Frankel's is really, really good. For a red sauce joint experience, Sandro's is good stuff, lot of Italian-American classics on the menu. If you're in Chinatown, check out Super Taste, the dumplings are especially good.

Is there anything in particular you wanted to check out?

Thanks, a lot of info here.

Top Of The Rock & Empire State are both on our list. We have made bookings for them.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge was on our short list but for some reason I eliminated it. Given a couple of members here are suggesting it, it's now on our must-do. That's what this thread is exactly for so thank you, thank you, thank you.

Man I can't wait to grab some pizza.

We've been on an Amtrack for over two hours and will be arriving in New York in less than an hour. Kssss!

 

[X_box_X]

The Harry Potter ride is amazing, Spiderman also very cool

Do they still have the rock n roll coaster in Universal where you can play your own music?

I'm glad you agree.

Yeah, they had that. It was one of my son's favourites. We both selected the same song from the list it gave us which I wasn't expecting. My influence has rubbed off on him.

 

[X_box_X]

Are there any Aussie pubs in New York likely to have Friday night footy televised live?

 

[Iason]

Are there any Aussie pubs in New York likely to have Friday night footy televised live?

RIP The Australian

That game would be on at like roughly 5:00 AM here in NYC, so doubtful. The channels FS1 and FS2 are the ones that'll have one or two live games a week, if I had to take a guess one of the live games shown on TV here would be Essendon/Adelaide, as that would be on at Friday night 22:20 local time. You could always go down to a random bar that has TVs and ask them to put it on a channel for you. Maybe one of the Stout locations will be playing it on a random screen.

Thanks, a lot of info here.

Top Of The Rock & Empire State are both on our list. We have made bookings for them.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge was on our short list but for some reason I eliminated it. Given a couple of members here are suggesting it, it's now on our must-do. That's what this thread is exactly for so thank you, thank you, thank you.

Man I can't wait to grab some pizza.

We've been on an Amtrack for over two hours and will be arriving in New York in less than an hour. Kssss!

You could probably do one or the other when it comes to Top of the Rock and Empire State as both would give you the roughly the same experience. You're coming in at a great time weather wise, this is prime walking the High Line/Brooklyn Bridge weather.

 

[00Stinger]

I'm glad you agree.

Yeah, they had that. It was one of my son's favourites. We both selected the same song from the list it gave us which I wasn't expecting. My influence has rubbed off on him.

Yeah I just remember playing Limp Bizkit in that awesome coaster

 

[BERT]

Are there any Aussie pubs in New York likely to have Friday night footy televised live?

Old Mates pub has just opened in NY. They are a chance to have it live

 

[SnakeMan86]

Thanks, a lot of info here.

Top Of The Rock & Empire State are both on our list. We have made bookings for them.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge was on our short list but for some reason I eliminated it. Given a couple of members here are suggesting it, it's now on our must-do. That's what this thread is exactly for so thank you, thank you, thank you.

Man I can't wait to grab some pizza.

We've been on an Amtrack for over two hours and will be arriving in New York in less than an hour. Kssss!

We tried a few places.

This was probably the pick of the bunch, bit of a queue waiting, but was good.

Joe's Pizza

www.joespizzanyc.com