Vacation In USA?

A

ardandy

New member
Hello, plucky Brit here needing some advise!



We're off on our hols next Sept and we're planning on doing the following (married couple, no kids);



3 Days In New York

3 Days In Las Vegas

7 Days In Banff (Possibly, undecided as of now)



For the USA part of the trip, it appears to be cheaper to fly to Newark rather than JFK for our New York leg. Considering we'll be staying near Times Square, is there a better airport to go to? Which is closer? Also, any recommended hotels nr times square?



Then we're off to Vegas for a few days (been told 3 is enough!), but have no idea, other than a few casinos whats worth doing. It's unlikely we'll be back for many many years so want to make the most of it.



Rather than listen to adverts and brochures I thought I'd ask for some more local knowledge on the subject!



So go on then! What do you recommend?



Cheers!
 
Fly to whichever is cheaper, it's about the same drive from Newark or JFK to Times Square (more tolls on the drive from Newark, IIRC).
 
ardandy said:
3 Days In New York

3 Days In Las Vegas

7 Days In Banff (Possibly, undecided as of now)
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Was there something or someone in Vegas you're planning to visit? If not, I'm struggling for ideas of why you might visit there??? If you're flying that far, why not keep going and make San Francisco and nearby wine country? That would be a memorable destination - - in a good way :p



If I were making suggestions to a Brit visiting the USA, NYC would be on the list. Perhaps Boston, we get many UK tourists and probably some destination on the West Coast depending on your family's interests.
 
Nevadan here who's been to both Vegas and 'Frisco multiple times...



Vegas is for getting drunk, throwing away your money, and doing otherwise disreputable stuff (like seeing strippers, visiting hookers, etc.) It sounds cool in the advertisements, but it's expensive and dirty. If you want to go to vegas, stay a day at most, that's enough time to see the few sites and go to a few shows (which are also very expensive).



San Francisco could be a really interesting adventure for adults. Great shopping, big city, nice scenery nearby. I'd probably rec. SF over LV.



San Diego/Los Angeles could also be some places to think about visiting.





With the high Pound : Dollar exchange rate, you shouldn't worry as much about cost, since things here should be relatively cheap to you!
 
banff as in Banff alberta canada?



I would suggest visiting, it is an amazing place. There are very few places like it. It is a touristy thing so it is expensive but man is it ever buetifull. I live a few hours away and go atleast once every year. If you can i would include it in your trip
 
For your NYC portion, you could actually stay in NJ and take a bus into NYC (very cost effective, drop off is downtown Manhattan and walking distance to Times Square. Boston is a nice alternate and a great walking town.



Las Vegas is nice if you like to gamble and see the spectacle of some truly impressive hotels ( as an aside the Imperial Palace has one of the greatest car collections in the world; some for sale), but I actually like driving to the AZ border (see Hoover Dam) and driving further to the Grand Canyon. If time is an issue, then San Franciso is a truly beautiful city and you can tour Napa/Sonoma Valley (which in my opinion is some of the best scenery in the world).



Banff is stunning.
 
I think we all can agree one must se Vegas Right ? Vegas is eye candy. the stomping ground of the rich and famous. You can see the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam. Just a couple of things to see in Vegas Get a pen ready ? There are 3 world class rollercosters on top the Stratosphere hotel 30 floors above the city, Walk through the Venitian Hotel its spectacular you can take a italian style boat ride on the canal that runs through the hotel, Visit the gardens at Cesars palace, Try and see the inside of every hotel there. They are all different, and will blow you away. Dont be fooled Vegas is not just gambling and hookers. I went and I dont gamble at all. I had the time of my life. Enjoy your visit to the states.



Go to youtube and pull up stratosphere coasters. Vegas.
 
I have two words for you--Route 1. SF over Vegas by a HUGE margin. My buddy and I did this run (Santa Barbara to Stinson Beach, which is north of SF) two weeks ago.



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I would go to JFK, all the flights I have had arrive in Laguardia and Newark were late (sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes 5 hours.)
 
Just a quick tour of Vegas,

If you look close at this first picture you can see a rollercoaster hanging off the side.

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These last few pics are actually inside of the hotels.



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I live in Los Angeles and have lived near the bay area for two years. I think Las Vegas is worth visiting at least once, especially if you're from out of town or out of country. . .it's unlike any other city I've been to. I'm not a smoker, not a big drinker, or gambler, and yet I still manage to have fun! When I go with my girlfriends, it's clubbing every night, but with my boyfriend, we find things to do that don't consist of hookers, strippers, getting drunk and puking over all the money I've lost.



For one, Vegas has GREAT shopping that rivals San Francisco, in fact, I think I prefer shopping in Vegas over SF. The Forums at Caesar's, the shopping at the Palazzo (ohhh the Barney's is gorgeous -- snooty salesgirls but beautiful merchandise), the mall next to TI and the outlets are all great. (There are tons of other shopping. . .most Casino/Hotels have their own indoor shopping mall, I'm just listing a few of my favorites).



Also, the SHOWS. I'm not a fan of Celine Dion, but I hear lots of people cry at her concerts. . .that's how great she is in concert I guess. For me, the Cirque du Soleil shows are a MUST SEE. Skip Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian (I think Broadway is MUCH better). I saw Ka and it's great. . .full of wushu/martial arts action. Beautiful choreography.



OH and the FOOD. YUM. I've never seen so many top restaurants and 5+++++ star chefs condensed in a 2 mile radius anywhere else in my life. Just walking the strip and checking out each casino/hotel is fun in itself. It is a little dity. . .I hate the guys on the streets passing out little postcards of naked girls out to me and my boyfriend. . .and you do see hookers at night. . .and the stench of cigarette smoke esp in the older casinos is gross. . .but overall I think it all adds to Las Vegas's name: City of Siiinnnn.



Have fun! (btw I'm going next week. . yippee!!)
 
Vegas rocks. Even if, like my wife and I, you are not a gambler. Look around to see what conventions are going on, often you can get into some really interesting ones.



There are many many things to see in the Vegas area. It doesn't matter your tastes, I am sure you can find interesting things to do and places to see.



Best source of information? The front desk at the hotel.
 
FlowRate said:
Vegas is for getting drunk, throwing away your money, and doing otherwise disreputable stuff (like seeing strippers, visiting hookers, etc.) It sounds cool in the advertisements, but it's expensive and dirty.
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I luv it! What a vision ! :D
 
I’d go with Vegas. Plenty to do and not as filthy as one would think. If you’re looking for trouble, you’ll find it. But I love Vegas because it’s more family friendly in recent years. Food is great, entertainment is first rate. If anything, make sure to see the fountains at Bellagio. Can’t beat that with Andrea Bocelli in the background. San Fran is great but everything is so spread out so you need more time to see everything and you’ll definitely need to rent a car with GPS. Whenever I visit friends in Vegas, I make sure to hop over to San Diego as well, it’s my second home.



As far as airports, I prefer Newark (EWR) over JFK. JFK is too congested – it was built simulating 8 airports into 1. I worked there for a few days with TSA and it was a nightmare. I lived in New York and Newark is my choice. Oh! Just saw your question about hotels near Times Square. DO NOT stay at Hotel Pennsylvania. I stayed there once and was scared for my family. It may sound classy but it's filthy with a lot of transients living there. Stay at the bigger chains like Sheraton or Hilton.



Good to hear from a friend across the pond. I have family in Chelsea, London and go there and Paris once a year. I envy you guys for your Frulli on tap.



Cheers mate!
 
Control tower aviation 69 requesting permission to land. Thats affermitive aviation 69. Clear to land welcome to Las Vegas.



Final approch ! Over the Grand Canyon (One of the 7 wonders of the world.)



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