Summer US trip

[SteveMorison 407]

I’m from the UK and very excited to be taking a tour of the US this summer. It’s something I’ve been saving up for for 3 years since I’ve had my job, originally was a plan to go to the 2026 World Cup but soon realised there’s no way for me to afford that.

Here is my rough plan:

June 20 - Fly from Manchester Airport to JFK

June 21 - New York (Statue of Liberty, Financial District, Book of Mormon)

June 22 - New York (Museum of Natural History, Rockefeller Centre, Empire State Building)

June 23 - New York (Central Park, MET Museum). Evening bus to Philadelphia

June 24 - Philadelphia (Open Bus tour)

June 25 - Philadelphia (American revolution museum). Evening bus to Washington D.C.

June 26 - Washington D.C. (Open bus tour, Capitol Building tour)

June 27 - Fly to New Orleans June 28 - New Orleans (morning French Quarter tour, evening Mississippi River cruise)

June 29 - New Orleans (morning garden district tour, evening voodoo tour)

June 30 - Bus to Houston

July 1 - Houston (NASA Space Center)

July 2 - Fly to San Francisco

July 3 - San Francisco (Alcatraz)

July 4 - San Francisco (Golden Gate Bridge)

July 5 - Bus to Los Angeles

July 6 - Los Angeles (Downtown tour, Dodgers game, Griffith Observatory)

July 7 - Los Angeles (Venice Beach, Santa Monica)

July 8 - Los Angeles (Hollywood)

July 9 - Bus to Las Vegas. Las Vegas (evening helicopter ride, casino gambling)

July 10 - Las Vegas (Hotel spa day, evening shows, casino gambling)

July 11 - Fly from Harry Reid back to Manchester Airport

Yeah I know I’m visiting when it’s unbearably hot in some places but it’s the period I planned my savings around. Anyone have any tips or advice? Anyone else have exciting travel or vacation plans this year?

Edited March 31 by SteveMorison

[Snoopy Fan 5,133]

I’m planning on taking a trip to Florida in May around the same time as my birthday. I hope you have a good time on your trip.

[DubWolf 17,638]

Not a complete trip to the US without a trip Texas. Just make sure you go to a Dairy Queen, cause...

 

Actually jk. Get some brisket and go to Whataburger. Not sure what else I'd recommend about Houston than the space center. Went there for the first time in 24 years last year. They've got the only remaining launch-ready Saturn-V rocket there; it's huuuge.

Edited April 1 by DubWolf

[SteveMorison 407]

18 hours ago, DubWolf said:

Not a complete trip to the US without a trip Texas. Just make sure you go to a Dairy Queen, cause...

 

Actually jk. Get some brisket and go to Whataburger. Not sure what else I'd recommend about Houston than the space center. Went there for the first time in 24 years last year. They've got the only remaining launch-ready Saturn-V rocket there; it's huuuge.

I only have 1 full day in Houston and after the Space Centre I’m torn between just relaxing for the evening or “doing something Texan”. Is there anything that happens early evening in Downtown Houston? I saw a video and it looked eerily quiet. Regards to food I’m a very fussy/childlike eater, so we’ll see what happens.

[DubWolf 17,638]

7 minutes ago, SteveMorison said:

I only have 1 full day in Houston and after the Space Centre I’m torn between just relaxing for the evening or “doing something Texan”. Is there anything that happens early evening in Downtown Houston? I saw a video and it looked eerily quiet. Regards to food I’m a very fussy/childlike eater, so we’ll see what happens.

Hmmm 1 day only. Not sure. Unless you wanted to see some event that day or watch the Astros play lol.

[Ganondorf8 11,471]

So long as you avoid any political problems given what's been going on in the U.S. lately, this trip does look like a lot of fun. I'm glad that you decided to go to Las Vegas at the tail end of your trip. Just don't gamble too much at the casino otherwise you could lose more than what you had when you went in.

[SteveMorison 407]

19 minutes ago, Ganondorf8 said:

So long as you avoid any political problems given what's been going on in the U.S. lately, this trip does look like a lot of fun. I'm glad that you decided to go to Las Vegas at the tail end of your trip. Just don't gamble too much at the casino otherwise you could lose more than what you had when you went in.

Will have a set amount of money to use at the Casinos and no more will be allowed to be used. If I achieve any winnings they can’t be used to re-gamble. Will probably spend 2-3 hours each night at the Casinos.

[Megas 27,972]

I'd recommend visiting San Diego if you can afford it, it's the best of the major California cities imo

[Skylight Scintillate 2,116]

I love talking about traveling, and I'm quite familiar with the US cities in the Northeast. Feel free to ask me to elaborate on things or specify exactly what you want.

Destinations I recommend:

New York City: 

This city is the one I am most familiar with and have the most things to recommend. I find this video is quite informative on all the most interesting attractions in New York City. 

Here is a list of the locations mentioned for your convience.

• Statue of Liberty, Charging Bull, NYSE, Financial District, Seaport, World Trade Center
• Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown, Little Italy
• Washington Sq Park, Greenwich, East Village, Soho, NoHo, Union Sq,  Madison Sq, Flatiron District
• Chelsea Market, Whitney, Little Island, High Line, Hudson Yards, The Edge
• Koreatown, Empire State, Macy’s , Bryant Park, The Summit, Times Square
• Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock, 5th Avenue, MoMA, Central Park
• Natural History Museum,The Met Museum, Guggenheim, Central Park

The video above seems more for someone who is dedicating a whole week to visiting New York City, but you can pick and choose what you're most interested in to build your own itinery. Also, the channel in general has a lot of tips for visiting New York City, and there are many other channels dedicated to talking about attractions in NYC as well. 

 

Philadelphia:

• Independence Hall and Liberty Bell
• Elfreth's Alley
• Reading Terminal Market 
• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Fairmount Park
• Philadelphia City Hall
• Penn's Landing
• Grab a Philly Cheesesteak

Washington DC:

• Georgetown
• Washington Monument
• Lincoln Memorial & Other Memorials
• United States Botanic Garden
• Smithsonian Museums
• The National Mall
• Arlington National Cemetery
• Smithsonian's National ZOO
• Library of Congress
• United States Capitol

New Orleans:

• Swamp tours
• Jackson square
• City park
• Louis Armstrong park
• Jazz Clubs
• Canal street
• French quarter
• Grab some Cajun food

San Francisco: 

• Palace of Fine Arts
• Chinatown
• Alamo Square
• Lombard Street
• Golden Gate Park
• Ferry Building and Market
• Cable Cars
• Alcatraz
• Golden Gate Bridge
• Fisherman's Warff & Pier 39

Los Angeles:

• Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Griffith Observatory
• The Grove & The Original Farmers Market
• Hollywood Sign
• Universal Studios
• Beverly Hills: Rodeo Drive
• The Broad, The Getty, and LACMA museums
• Venice Beach, Venice Canals
• Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica 3rd St Promonade

 

General tips:

• The locations I recommend are the most visited attractions of each major city, so expect large crowds
• For cities you are spending multiple days in, sort the destinations by location to minimize travel time, freeing up more time at each location
• Consider using public transit in New York City, Washington DC, and San Francisco. These three cities have frequent public transit and would be less expensive than using a rideshare to go between destinations
• Unless you have already booked the bus tickets between New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC, consider looking into train options as well. Trains are run by Amtrak and they have a lot of trains between the three cities mentioned and they could potentially be a nicer experience
• Be prepared to make changes if it rains. While the three western cities are less likely to rain in the summer, the five other cities mentioned can get rain
• Depending on if you use public transit and how many attractions you do per day, be prepared to walk a lot. Remember to bring comfortable shoes
• If you want to go to local businesses in New York City and San Francisco (maybe New Orleans) bring cash
• Be aware of tourist scams at many major tourist attractions
• Tipping waiters at restaurants is required

[Envy 6,299]

On 2025-03-31 at 10:37 PM, DubWolf said:

Not a complete trip to the US without a trip Texas.

... Nah.

[DubWolf 17,638]

1 minute ago, Envy said:

... Nah.

Well he didn't even consider visiting Connecticut ...

[Envy 6,299]

16 minutes ago, DubWolf said:

Well he didn't even consider visiting Connecticut ...

You and I both know what you said here is just a deflection.

Edited April 3 by Envy

[DubWolf 17,638]

1 hour ago, Envy said:

You and I both know what you said here is just a deflection.

Is it    ?

[Ganondorf8 11,471]

On 2025-04-01 at 3:01 PM, SteveMorison said:

Will have a set amount of money to use at the Casinos and no more will be allowed to be used. If I achieve any winnings they can’t be used to re-gamble. Will probably spend 2-3 hours each night at the Casinos.

This will ensure that you won't wind up becoming a gambling addict.

[Snow 8,224]

I don't know your travel style but I think it might be nice for you to add days with nothing planned, that way you can relax, do laundry, get a light meal, catch up on anything you missed or do something you didn't know about while planning.
A rest day is a god send after catching a long train/bus/plane to a secondary location.

Also staying in a town for only 2 nights doesn't let you experience very much, you really only get 1 full day. Arrive one evening, sleep, wake up and have a single day, sleep and you're gone in the morning! 

[SteveMorison 407]

59 minutes ago, Snow said:

I don't know your travel style but I think it might be nice for you to add days with nothing planned, that way you can relax, do laundry, get a light meal, catch up on anything you missed or do something you didn't know about while planning.
A rest day is a god send after catching a long train/bus/plane to a secondary location.

Also staying in a town for only 2 nights doesn't let you experience very much, you really only get 1 full day. Arrive one evening, sleep, wake up and have a single day, sleep and you're gone in the morning! 

I’ve already dropped a couple a places to free the schedule up. I’m hoping to fit in some downtime when I can just swim in the pool, middle of both days in NOLA, daytime in Vegas, evening time in Houston, hopefully evening time in both Philadelphia and Washington. I don’t normally travel this way but it’s kind of a special thing which has taken 3 years of savings.

[ResiLokfil 59]

On 2025-04-02 at 9:52 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

I love talking about traveling, and I'm quite familiar with the US cities in the Northeast. Feel free to ask me to elaborate on things or specify exactly what you want.

Destinations I recommend:

New York City: 

This city is the one I am most familiar with and have the most things to recommend. I find this video is quite informative on all the most interesting attractions in New York City. 

Here is a list of the locations mentioned for your convience.

• Statue of Liberty, Charging Bull, NYSE, Financial District, Seaport, World Trade Center
• Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown, Little Italy
• Washington Sq Park, Greenwich, East Village, Soho, NoHo, Union Sq,  Madison Sq, Flatiron District
• Chelsea Market, Whitney, Little Island, High Line, Hudson Yards, The Edge
• Koreatown, Empire State, Macy’s , Bryant Park, The Summit, Times Square
• Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock, 5th Avenue, MoMA, Central Park
• Natural History Museum,The Met Museum, Guggenheim, Central Park

The video above seems more for someone who is dedicating a whole week to visiting New York City, but you can pick and choose what you're most interested in to build your own itinery. Also, the channel in general has a lot of tips for visiting New York City, and there are many other channels dedicated to talking about attractions in NYC as well. 

 

Philadelphia:

• Independence Hall and Liberty Bell
• Elfreth's Alley
• Reading Terminal Market 
• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Fairmount Park
• Philadelphia City Hall
• Penn's Landing
• Grab a Philly Cheesesteak

Washington DC:

• Georgetown
• Washington Monument
• Lincoln Memorial & Other Memorials
• United States Botanic Garden
• Smithsonian Museums
• The National Mall
• Arlington National Cemetery
• Smithsonian's National ZOO
• Library of Congress
• United States Capitol

New Orleans:

• Swamp tours
• Jackson square
• City park
• Louis Armstrong park
• Jazz Clubs
• Canal street
• French quarter
• Grab some Cajun food

San Francisco: 

• Palace of Fine Arts
• Chinatown
• Alamo Square
• Lombard Street
• Golden Gate Park
• Ferry Building and Market
• Cable Cars
• Alcatraz
• Golden Gate Bridge
• Fisherman's Warff & Pier 39

Los Angeles:

• Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Griffith Observatory
• The Grove & The Original Farmers Market
• Hollywood Sign
• Universal Studios
• Beverly Hills: Rodeo Drive
• The Broad, The Getty, and LACMA museums
• Venice Beach, Venice Canals
• Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica 3rd St Promonade

 

General tips:

• The locations I recommend are the most visited attractions of each major city, so expect large crowds
• For cities you are spending multiple days in, sort the destinations by location to minimize travel time, freeing up more time at each location
• Consider using public transit in New York City, Washington DC, and San Francisco. These three cities have frequent public transit and would be less expensive than using a rideshare to go between destinations
• Unless you have already booked the bus tickets between New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC, consider looking into train options as well. Trains are run by Amtrak and they have a lot of trains between the three cities mentioned and they could potentially be a nicer experience
• Be prepared to make changes if it rains. While the three western cities are less likely to rain in the summer, the five other cities mentioned can get rain
• Depending on if you use public transit and how many attractions you do per day, be prepared to walk a lot. Remember to bring comfortable shoes
• If you want to go to local businesses in New York City and San Francisco (maybe New Orleans) bring cash
• Be aware of tourist scams at many major tourist attractions
• Tipping waiters at restaurants is required

Thank you :3