Vacation in the US or ....

[NyM]

Hey folks =) how you doin?

First of all, for those who remember me ^^ im finally getting all my things started irl and are done with my classes for a while. Might be able to start playing siege again soon but well, have to get used to all the new stuff...

Anyway, my gf and me are planing to go on vacation for about 2 1/2 week soon and we arent able to decide where to go to ^^

I bet there are a lot of good places in the US, for now we are grabbing a lot of offers from tourist offices.

So i just wanted to ask you guys about your experience for some good places.
We are looking for a place with of course sea and a great beach. Maybe some great culture to take a look at ? some nice buildings?

Our money range is about 1,600.00 euros per person, this is around 2,000.00 dollars. Of course the flight will be the most expensive part.

We were also thinking about just paying the flight without booking any appartments or hotels and just travel around, any ideas about routes for that one ?

I would really appreciate your help guys! =)

Hopefully see ya soon ingame!

Greets
NyM

 

[Sweeney]

Assateauge island is a nice place.. it's in North Carolina. Nice beaches, wild horses, (The only wild horses on the east coast I think), etc. But the Atlantic coast isn't really what people imagine when they thing of "great beach." The Atlantic beaches are not the white-sanded thing in people's imaginations. They have grasses and such, and might not be the best memorable "vacation" sites.

If you are limited to the Atlantic coast (based on your $$ and location) then I'd suggest east Florida (assuming the vacation is soon.. the ****ing oil spill is ruining the best beaches in the gulf). East coast Florida is okay so far though.

[edit] I'm in Missouri, not Florida..[/edit]

 

[IanJames]

Assateague Island is part of Virginia, not NC. And it's loaded with gigantic mosquitos. So if you're idea of a good time is swatting yourself all day, go for it. It IS a pretty place to visit, but be forewarned.

Washington, DC is a great place to visit, lots of culture, buildings, the Smithsonian museums are all free and right downtown. Close driving to beaches (Ocean City, Rehoboth, etc...) Hotels are a little pricey, but if you rent a car, you can stay on the outskirts of the city for a little cheaper and take the trains into the city from the suburbs.

 

[Lorddog]

florida nice, and if you go near central florida make sure to visit NASA.

Lorddog

 

[Critical Gaming]

My tent got trampled in the middle of the night when I was there. Two horses were eating all the **** off the picnic table.

 

[archite666]

Las vegas baby!

Only a few hours from california, the grand canyon, the ring of fire, red rock national park.

Home to tons of casinos, debachery, nellis air force , and yours truely!

 

[Dirkdiggler]

You should go on a cruise, or at least look into them if you haven't. There are hundreds of options and the prices are extremely low considering what all is included.

 

[Vortex]

We were also thinking about just paying the flight without booking any appartments or hotels and just travel around, any ideas about routes for that one ?

Fly into San Antonio, Texas - take in the Alamo, stay at the haunted Gunther Hotel, maybe visit Sea World or Fiesta Texas, also a world class zoo.

Head out IH 10 East. Stop in Lake Charles, Louisana and do some gambling.

Back on IH 10 East. Takes you into New Orleans, Louisana. Check out the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Drink some Pat O'Briens Hurricanes. Sober up and Head back out IH 10 East.

Stop in Mobile, Alabama. Check out the historic buildings. Eat some famous barbeque. Get back on IH 10 East.

Next thing you know, your in Florida. Stay on IH 10 all the way into Jacksonville. Check out the fun nightlife there.

Then head down IH 95 to Daytona Beach, Florida. Hang out there for the beach and the beach parties.

Head further down IH 95 to Palm Beach, Florida. Spend some time on the quiet beaches there and try to recover from all the partying you did along the way.

Drive down IH 95 to Miami. Fly home from Miami. For the love of God, don't do anything in Miami except fly home!

Very fun trip, get to see a lot of different cultures in the US. Great variety in the foods along the way. Southwest food in Texas, Cajun in New Orleans, BBQ in Alabama, and seafood in Florida. Plenty of party spots and yet some quiet relaxing spots too.

If your interested, let me know, I can give you more details about each stop.

 

[Sunchicken]

Fly into San Antonio, Texas - take in the Alamo, stay at the haunted Gunther Hotel, maybe visit Sea World or Fiesta Texas, also a world class zoo.

Head out IH 10 East. Stop in Lake Charles, Louisana and do some gambling.

Back on IH 10 East. Takes you into New Orleans, Louisana. Check out the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Drink some Pat O'Briens Hurricanes. Sober up and Head back out IH 10 East.

Stop in Mobile, Alabama. Check out the historic buildings. Eat some famous barbeque. Get back on IH 10 East.

Next thing you know, your in Florida. Stay on IH 10 all the way into Jacksonville. Check out the fun nightlife there.

Then head down IH 95 to Daytona Beach, Florida. Hang out there for the beach and the beach parties.

Head further down IH 95 to Palm Beach, Florida. Spend some time on the quiet beaches there and try to recover from all the partying you did along the way.

Drive down IH 95 to Miami. Fly home from Miami. For the love of God, don't do anything in Miami except fly home!

Very fun trip, get to see a lot of different cultures in the US. Great variety in the foods along the way. Southwest food in Texas, Cajun in New Orleans, BBQ in Alabama, and seafood in Florida. Plenty of party spots and yet some quiet relaxing spots too.

If your interested, let me know, I can give you more details about each stop.

This sounds fun

Altho ive heard bad things about some of the casinos in lake charles.

 

[Speedy Orkit]

Fly into Las Vegas

Go to In and Out Burger

Go to The Orleans

Repeat.

 

[Skylark SP]

It really depends on what interests you.

The U.S. has such an amazing diversity of geography and climate zones - if you are into nature, and outdoor activities, there are many available activities in and around our state and national parks, and they are typically very budget friendly. You probably won't be disappointed with anything you pick. Vortex's idea of meandering across the U.S. over a couple of weeks is good if you have no specific objective.

As for Florida, if you can handle the heat/humidity this time of year, there is plenty to do outdoors. In spite of the magnitude and impact of the Gulf oil spill, it isn't like the entire 350+ mile stretch of our state's west coast is covered in tar, and people are swimming in oil over there. So far the majority of contamination is confined to the panhandle, and it is in limited stretches of beach. There are still plenty of pristine white beaches people are enjoying on the west coast, it is just one of those variables that is impossible to predict if gunk will wash up in an area when the currents change.

We have state parks with gorgeous freshwater springs as well. Tubing down a spring fed river like the Ichetucknee or Suwanee is a lot of fun.

If you like history, and interesting buildings, there are ruins of a Spanish fort in St. Augustine, and an old lighthouse there, and another not too far away at Ponce Inlet on the east coast (some really charming bed & breakfasts around there too, but they can be pricey). Of course, everyone knows the theme parks in Central Florida, and all the entertainment, touristy things available. As LD mentions, the Kennedy Space Center has a lot of things to look at related to the history of the U.S. space program, and bus tours that take you around the enormous expanse of Florida scrub land that belong to the facility with its scattered buildings.

If you want to save money on lodgings, and plan to be in the same area for at least a week, you might want to look into short term apartment or condo rentals like this one rather than standard hotels. You can save a lot on meals that way as well, because they have kitchens so you can store groceries, and prepare some of your own food, saving your budget for "real" dining out in interesting places that you want to try.

Anyway, hope you have a wonderful vacation, whatever you end up choosing.

 

[Mook Chessy]

If you play golf, tennis or ride horses look into Casa De Campo in the Dominican Republic!

Been there quite a few times, great beaches, pools and top notch food, no crappy buffet.

Not really a kids joint.

Google it and take a look, no idea on pricing as I am part owner in a home located within the compound, should fall into your price range.

Also they have an insane shooting range, crazy fun!

 

[QueenZen]

There are hotels on the Gulf that are in dire need of customers, since many bookings were cancelled due to the Gulf oil disaster, yet many of these fine hotels along the gulf on some of the beaches still have water surf and sand not yet destroyed ...yet.

Yall could help them they need business, and maybe yall can help in some other ways going to resturants and etc. to help donate gp to the local economy down there, or help the wild life that is being destroyed. Kinda go see what is left of it before it worsens.

But keep in mind this is also hurricane season in the Gulf too.

 

[Vortex]

This sounds fun

Altho ive heard bad things about some of the casinos in lake charles.

Its not Vegas, but its not too bad. Its right on the path, so its at least a good diversion. If you really want serious gambling, and still stick to the general route I gave you, you can go to Coushatta. Its only a little bit out of the way...

http://www.coushattacasinoresort.com/

 

[QueenZen]

Another concept is to try to tour one-two of our Great lakes too. While maybe not as cultural as other spots in USA, touring Lake Michigan Wisconsin side, crossing the huge bridges from wisc to upper peninsula of Michigan, learning of native american cultures, like the Menomenee tribe or Oneida tribes of Wisconsin etc. the beaches are combinations of sandy pristine awesomeness cold waters even in summer time yet exhilarating, and rocky climbs depending where all ya tour, even light house tours etc.

There would be other tourism spots ie Niagra Falls, and combining usa canada in that sort of trip.

Lake Michigan Lake Superior are awesome powers in their own right, also worth touring too. I grew up with the Great Lakes area, lots of us history there too.

 

[archite666]

Only correction I want to make to vortex is that san antanio is a free zoo, and its often packed with thousands of children and me and my wife didn't find it very nice. I don't know how the cincinnati zoo shapes up but maybe we have high expectations.

The few things I recommend in SA would be the japanese tea gardens (like one minute away from the zoo)

The river walk is very beautiful, especially at night, and if you plan to stay on the riverwalk, may I suggest the vilencia (sp?) its the best hotel iv ever stayed in (one of the most expensive too!)

And finally the night clubs.

Also in reference to speedys post, I think in and out is terrible! Or at least animal style is.

Though their secret menu is kinda cool

.... Wow just realised I travel too frickin much.

 

[CroakerTnT]

Imho, stay away from the south in the summer. If you aren't used to 40 degrees celcius and 90+% humidity, you'll simply wilt. Even the natives have trouble with it. The only places in the south that are habitable in the summer are places with constant breeze - like beaches, but the Brits have stunk up those with the ripe smell of petroleum.

Also Chincoteague/Assateague (sp?) are definitely a no-go in the summer due to the monster mosquitoes mentioned above. Nice in the fall/spring, however.

Vegas is also very hot, but it's also very dry, desert climate. It's very nice after the sun goes down or if you are in the shade.

I'd really recommend the Adirondacks in the summer (upstate New York). Lake Champlain and Fort Ticonderoga are awesome. Maine's coast is also awesome in the summer - particularly if you like cheap, fresh lobster.

If Islands are your thing, try St. Johns or the BVI or Puerto Rico. It's hot, but breezy, so not really a problem. I haven't heard tell of petroleum there yet, but check the internet.

 

[Skylark SP]

Imho, stay away from the south in the summer. If you aren't used to 40 degrees celcius and 90+% humidity, you'll simply wilt. Even the natives have trouble with it.

I agree about the south in summer - I've lived in FL my entire life, yet somehow, the heat never deters the umpteem gazillion people from flocking here during the most miserable of our summer days. I guess it isn't so bad when you are in the water a lot, but for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities, I agree those are best left for less stifling conditions.

Maine's coast is also awesome in the summer - particularly if you like cheap, fresh lobster.

LOL...my one and only trip to Maine in the summer - it was 90 degrees when I arrived, and the heat persisted throughout the trip. Unlike the south, most places did not have air conditioning. I thought, I didn't have to leave FL for this! I really thought some of the locals up there were going to die, it is rough for people who are used to it, as you say. What is funny is the tap water was still cold enough to make your teeth ache.

However, heat wave aside, the view of that coast with the massive, forbidding rocks with huge, dangerous waves crashing into them, is spectacular, particularly if you are used to wide sandy beaches with gently rolling waves. I also really enjoyed Acadia national forest, it was awesome watching the sunrise on the summit of Cadillac(?) mountain. So despite the heat, I had a great time, although my observation, the lobster, even at "shacks" along the coast wasn't all that much cheaper than in standard restaurants in the south. We enjoyed an excursion into New Hampshire to drive around and do some very low-key hiking in the White mountains. Unfortunately, there was so much cloud cover and mist, we missed out on a lot of the famous views. I also wish we had been there when the leaves were changing colors. That is definitely something you don't see in FL.

 

[Vortex]

Only correction I want to make to vortex is that san antanio is a free zoo, and its often packed with thousands of children and me and my wife didn't find it very nice. I don't know how the cincinnati zoo shapes up but maybe we have high expectations.

The few things I recommend in SA would be the japanese tea gardens (like one minute away from the zoo)

The river walk is very beautiful, especially at night, and if you plan to stay on the riverwalk, may I suggest the vilencia (sp?) its the best hotel iv ever stayed in (one of the most expensive too!)

And finally the night clubs.

Also in reference to speedys post, I think in and out is terrible! Or at least animal style is.

Though their secret menu is kinda cool

.... Wow just realised I travel too frickin much.

Musta been something special going on when you came. The zoo is not normally free and if you go during the week, its not crowded at all. Its $10 for adults. Rated as the 3rd best zoo in the U.S.
http://www.sazoo-aq.org/general/index.html

Japanese Tea Gardens are very nice.

And yes, tons of nightclubs here. On the river is Dirty Nelly's, Howl at the Moon, ****'s Last Resort and many others...

New Braunfels, Texas is a short drive from San Antonio (30 minutes) and has one of the largest waterparks in the nation.
http://www.schlitterbahn.com/nb/

One thing on that trip I forgot to mention - Orlando is on that route, so if you wanna do the Disneyworld thing, its on the path.

 

[Vortex]

Imho, stay away from the south in the summer. If you aren't used to 40 degrees celcius and 90+% humidity, you'll simply wilt.

Very true, its not uncommon to walk down the street and just see melted puddles of what used to be a human being.

I've been here all my life and it still kills me in August. I think I need a summer home in Maine, you sold me on the cheap lobster.

 

[QueenZen]

Aye I have only been in the deep south since 1984. And every summer my mind wanders back up north, where the deepes largest of our Great lakes are COLD even in July, and a stiff breeze off Lake Michigan made an 80+ degree day in Green Bay feel like 50.

Down here when it is 96 degrees f. with heat index at 106...... I try to remember jumpin in Lake Michigan in JULY and coming out with CHILLS when a cold or cool breeze off the big lake filled the air breezin on us with wonderous aroma of clear cold water droping our body temps.

Down here no big deep cold lakes to help us cool down ! Up there we hibernated in winter, here we hibernate in summer.

 

[QueenZen]

Another interesting but pricey USA CANADA USA tour, one I myself hope to make some year...fly into Washington State, which I have seen when Mt. Saint Helens blew...then take a cruise liner from SEATAC ie Seattle Tacoma Washington State and on up the coast leaving USA into Canadian waters on the pacific ocean...on cruise liner up to ALASKA and back.

Awesome tour if one could afford it, one I too hope to make one some year.

 

[Skylark SP]

Another interesting but pricey USA CANADA USA tour, one I myself hope to make some year...fly into Washington State, which I have seen when Mt. Saint Helens blew...then take a cruise liner from SEATAC ie Seattle Tacoma Washington State and on up the coast leaving USA into Canadian waters on the pacific ocean...on cruise liner up to ALASKA and back.

Awesome tour if one could afford it, one I too hope to make one some year.

Friend of mine did that a couple of years ago...she said the cruise was absolutely amazing, although fog did spoil some of the view for a couple of days.

I visited some friends in Washington state at the end of the summer in 2004, and Mt. St. Helens was "belching" when our plane was approaching the airport. It was a pretty impressive site, although I was busy gawking at the western mountains anyway, which are so different from those in the east. We took the ferry to San Juan island, which was fun, although fog totally obscured the view for us one way. Still, we saw some seals, and dolphins. We spent a good part of the day on the island, looking in the shops, and at the scenery. If you like lavender, Pelindaba farms grows and processes it there, and there are a lot of shops related to it.

I wanted to do a whale watch boat tour while I was there, but we didn't have time (did that when I was in Maine, and really enjoyed it).

We drove up to White Rock, in Canada one afternoon, and had a nice lunch of fish and chips, and walked around on the coast some. That was the extent of my visit in Canada.

 

[Hugibear]

I cant believe you people are telling a foreigner to drive thru the deep south, you all must really hate the guy.

Mook is correct Dominican Republic is the way to go, in the winter time. Been there about 10 times, wife is dominican and her parents have a house there, I love it there been all over the island it is fantastic, again in winter it is great summer is kinda of hot tho. Anywhere in the south is really hot in the summer.

If you are goin this time of year, I would tell him to start somewhere like the Island of Nantucket, than goto Boston, NYC, Baltimore, Washington DC, than finish in like cheasepeake Bay. I think doing something like that will give you the most bang for your buck. You can take overnight trains and get a room so you can sleep at night, to even save on time. To me NYC and DC are awesome to go to, you never run outta things to do in those two cites, I could just go to those two and be happy.

BTW good to hear from you, you scrub!

 

[QueenZen]

Yeh I did Washington State when Mt. Saint Helens blew big time in 81 or whenever. It was comic to see folks trying to sell what looked like ash from their BBQ grills to tourists labeling it all Mt. St. Helens volcanic ash. lol

I do hope to go back some year to cruise on up to Alaska. Hubby has been to Alaska 2x to go salmon fishing up there, or was it trout, whatever.

West coast-wise San Diego was interesting to me too. Toured it when eldest daughter first got stationed there with the US NAVY. It is also interesting to be upon a beach where ya see signs that read when TO EXIT the beach cuz the US Navy fighter bombers may use it for target practice during the hours of 2-4pm ...........or reading Southern California public elevator signs that say..."in case of earthquake do NOT board elevator " um sure ! LOL

I know one thing I will NEVER DO AGAIN...one can not fathom how wide USA really is till ya do something stupid like go visit your son in Connecticut and then hop a jet to visit your daughter in San Diego...never thought this county would END....coast to coast it's bigger than we figure on a flight. BLEH ! As I flew from the east coast to the west coast I kept lookin down to try to finally see the Miss. River going yay almost halfway thru...then after that lookin down hopin to see something remotely like the Grand Canyon thinkin...Calif can't be too far off............finally !!

 

[John Connelly]

Vacation in the US or ....

I would go for the or.... Take a trip to South America. Visit Machu Pichu in Peru, cross Lake Titicaca to Bolivia, travel in to Northern Chile and get an overnight bus across the Atacama Desert, cross the Andes in to Argentina, visit the Iguacu falls on the borders of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil.
That’s just a few suggestions. If you need more let me know. How long do you have??

 

[Righty]

Yellowstone nat'l park or vegas. For god's sake don't go to the south.

 

[Mook Chessy]

I cant believe you people are telling a foreigner to drive thru the deep south, you all must really hate the guy.

Mook is correct Dominican Republic is the way to go, in the winter time. Been there about 10 times, wife is dominican and her parents have a house there, I love it there been all over the island it is fantastic, again in winter it is great summer is kinda of hot tho. Anywhere in the south is really hot in the summer.

If you are goin this time of year, I would tell him to start somewhere like the Island of Nantucket, than goto Boston, NYC, Baltimore, Washington DC, than finish in like cheasepeake Bay. I think doing something like that will give you the most bang for your buck. You can take overnight trains and get a room so you can sleep at night, to even save on time. To me NYC and DC are awesome to go to, you never run outta things to do in those two cites, I could just go to those two and be happy.

BTW good to hear from you, you scrub!

Wife is Dominican...hmm...

*off to the RL picture thread*

I live around 40 miles west of NYC and you can take the Accella Train from Boston all the wat to DC, sweet trip and great way to travel. No break on the weather, it is going to be 94/95/96 this weekend, yuk!

Might want to check out Canada also, I take a motorcyle trip every year through the Finger Lakes in NY State up to Niagra Falls then into Canada for a few days and have a grea time every year.

 

[QueenZen]

Hugibear my aunt from NYC, came down here to see our twins graduate, had rented a car at Memphis International, left the party and DROVE to ARKANSAS. I freaked out ! Kept worrying about my NYC aunt driving in dixie, a newyorker, driving down here with HER Brooklyn accent ?

At the time though she was determined to go see the state the then President Clinton was from. BTW she survived nicely .