WalkinDude has indicated that this thread is about USA
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For money, you are well covered. You should be able to get by without issue on that, and even splash out on some nice hotels now and again. Hotel rooms in most places outside the major cities probably won't run you more than $40. It'll be even cheaper if you go dorm / youth hostels. Food and drink will be less than what you are paying in the UK.
I think you've listed A LOT for 3 months, even just taking the essential list. Mostly it is because of the distances you'll be travelling between these places. Even places that seem close - like Florida and New Orleans, can be very far apart.
For the time of year you are going, be prepared for snow and cold, especially in New Hampshire & Maine. You'll be one of the only few tourists up that way that time of year, I would imagine.
A comment on some of the optional places:
The Alamo - unless you wanted to go to Texas and do some time in Houston, Austin and San Antonio, I'd drop this. It isn't really that impressive a structure, and it's a long way from anything on your essentials list.
Lake Tahoe - beautiful. From San Francisco, you can drive up for a weekend, or catch a bus. It'll be snowy and cold. If you ski, that'd be a good place to do it.
Atlantic City (I love casinos and playing poker) - Atlantic City is no where near impressive as Las Vegas, and as you've already been to Vegas, you might find it a little underwhelming. If you have a hankering for cards, though, and are in the NYC area, it's not a bad choice. You might also want to think about Foxwoods.
"I thought going from New Orleans to Salt Lake might be good to drive?" - it is a two day drive, including a good portion through the mountains in winter. Long way to go. There are some pretty flat areas in that drive as well.
What sports are on Feb/March/April? Would it be possible to see any college football? Baseball? Basketball? - Basketball and Ice Hockey are in their seasons. You could catch some baseball - and potentially the start of the regular season. Note that during Spring Training, teams play in Florida and Arizona, and not (for the most part) at their home ballparks. It's a good time to go, though, because you can get very close to the action.
It sounds to me like you have a good plan. Be warned though, that America is huge, and takes a long time to cover distances. Be flexible on your plans. On a trip this big, it's hard to plan to the smallest detail. I usually have a general idea of the things I want to do and places to see, and if one isn't working I just move on to the better plan.
As far as what you want to see, it sounds like a full 3 months for sure, but be careful not to spend all your time getting someplace on a car, train or plane, instead of enjoying a place for all the time it deserves.
Sounds like fun.
Enjoy.
There's a lot here to respond to...
Haha yeh it was bit of a monster post sorry about that. Thank you for a great reply tho!
Nice to know money should be okay and I'll have the option of splashing out now and then. Happy to do it on the cheap tho and have been looking at hostels. I think your suggestion of a mixture between cheap and the occasional nice hotel is good. Or I might just do it all cheap and save some money for a little stop-off in Vegas haha
You're right, I did think Florida and New Orleans were close! It's easy to look at the map and think 'oh x and y are not far apart' then realise it's actually like 1000 miles or something! I'll look closely at the distances and see what I can cut out. May have to re-think the drive between New Orleans and Salt Lake for a start...
Lake Tahoe sounds so nice and as it's easy to get to from SF I may try and see it. I don't ski but I've always wanted to, maybe I'll have a go!
I figured a lot of these places, as you mentioned Maine in particular, will be freezing. Ideally I'd start my trip later in the spring but I have no choice, I have to go as soon as I can. I'll just have to be well prepared for winter conditions. Obviously I'm used to bad weather in the UK anyway!
Appreciate the 'under-whelming' warning regarding Atlantic City as I would have been expecting something similar to Vegas! May still check it out as I love a game of poker and it's not the same in UK casinos. I've heard about Foxwoods so may make a quick visit there while I'm in the north-east. Gonna take a look at the basketball schedule and def gonna look into the spring training cos I'd love to see some baseball. It would just be cool to attend any American sporting event.
Thanks for your advice GregW!
It sounds to me like you have a good plan. Be warned though, that America is huge, and takes a long time to cover distances. Be flexible on your plans. On a trip this big, it's hard to plan to the smallest detail. I usually have a general idea of the things I want to do and places to see, and if one isn't working I just move on to the better plan.
As far as what you want to see, it sounds like a full 3 months for sure, but be careful not to spend all your time getting someplace on a car, train or plane, instead of enjoying a place for all the time it deserves.
Sounds like fun.
Enjoy.
Thanks Rhombus.
I'm definitely looking to be flexible, it's tempting to try and plan every tiny detail, but probably impossible, and less fun. I like your suggestion of just having a general idea then going with the flow and changing plans as and when it suits. I think that's gotta be the best way to go about it. Being a bit more casual like that is one of the advantages of travelling solo.
Basically I'm just looking to try and see some of the places that interest me personally, meet different people, maybe sometimes get off the typical 'tourist trail' and get a taste for what life in America is really all about. So I take your point about spending quality time in places rather than dashing around spending most your time on the road.
I'm gonna soak it up and enjoy, thanks man!
Hi there!
Good on you for a start! Like you enthuaism...you are going for it. We did the LA to NY roadtrip in Aujgust/Spet. If you check us out at our blog, it may help you. We went east to west - although I would recommend the other way to save on time.
I think if you set out a line of where you want to go and stick to it, then you will surprise yourself with the out of the way places you will come across. We got to Fort Sumner (Billy the Kid grave) in TExas and a cute place called Shamrock!
Stick either to across the States, or do one of the coasts. You can always return another time. You will never forget the US. Don't try to get everything in too soon - you will cram and then regret not savouring the experience of the trip.
The roads are fabulous in the US and I would recommend you drive. The rest stops are clean, with CLEAN toilets, and safe places to picnic and chill. I think there is no other way to see America than to drive yourself. That way you can deviate from the plan or not. Best to get up early hit the road for four hours, stop, lunch and then set up in a nearby town and take it from there.
Whereever you go, I wish you luck - and if you need any further advice contact me on our blog page.
One thing though _ DOOOOO stop at Peggy Sue's Diner (before Vegas if you do that) - I had the best hamburger of my life there. Food to die for.
Best of luck...
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