Some other help needed About This Page:

[chezp]

OK, as you were all so helpful with your comments on Toronto (I need to get my hands on a particular travel brochure before deciding exactly how long to go for!), I thought you could help with some other destinations!

For DH's 40th birthday next year, we're planning to visit a number of cities in the States. We're looking at going in October / November, as he wants to go whale watching in Boston - and it looks like tours only go up until the end of October and that time of the year looks to be relatively cheap for where we're planning to go.

Here's our list:

1) Boston
2) Los Angeles - we're planning to mainly do Disneyland, but I know DH wants to look round the main tourism sites in Beverley Hills / Hollywood as well
3) San Francisco (I'm not sure if we'll make it here or not)
4) Las Vegas - we'd definitely put one day aside to go to the Grand Canyon
5) Washington DC

I have been to all these cities before, except Boston, but DH has only been to DC before and we'd be looking to fly between each city.

So how long would you spend in each of these cities at around that time of the year?
What attractions are "must do's" in these cities?
What sort of weather could we expect in each?

Any help gratefully received!

[my2girls]

All of your choices are excellent ones for visiting, but what where's Chicago? lol

Kristine

[chezp]

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All of your choices are excellent ones for visiting, but what where's Chicago? lol

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If only DH and I could get three or four weeks off work, then we could include it! I think the most we can get though is about two and a half weeks in one go though.

[my2girls]

I would definitely go to Vegas - I hear it's beautiful - hot weather, but not humid. I also would love San Francisco. Perfect weather all year long. I have never been to any of them, so I cannot recommend what to do.

whatever you decide, it's going to be a wonderful trip.
Keep us posted.

Kristine

[BritDisFan]

We've been to Vegas and Washington DC, we loved both places. Vegas is sort of like Disney but only for adults, it doesn't feel real, it's big, brash and exciting. The hotels and casino's are out of this world. The Grand Canyon is definately a must see, it's awe inspiring. I would recommend at least two nights for Vegas as there is so much to see and a visit to The Grand Canyon would take at least a day as it is quite a drive, you could always take a helicopter trip from Vegas to The Grand Canyon.

We stayed 3 nights in Washington DC, again there is so much to see, we spent nearly a whole day in the Holocaust Memorial museum alone.

Karen

[Bert & Sully]

There is SO MUCH to do in Boston. You've got the obvious stuff like the USS Constitution in Charlestown, the North Church, Bunker Hill, Tea Party, Lexington-Concord, etc. (All the places US beat the British )

Another angle would be the museums, Boston Museum of Fine Art, The Science Museum, The Sports Museum, etc.

There's also Harvard in Cambridge (across the Charles River)and its museums.

You could go to some of the parks that are in the harbor. Keith expects that the Boston Red Sox will be in the World Series this October AND next October.

There's also the Duck Tours (WWII Vehicles that go on land and in the Charles River). Oh the Swan Boats.

There are restaurants such as The Cheers Bar, Anthony's Pier 4, all the Italian restaurants in the North End, Legal Seafood (ask Nancy about them) Keith says has the best NE clam chowder in the nation.

You will also be there during peeper season. Fall in New England is ABSOLUTELY breathtaking. Are you renting a car to go see the foliage?

Are you staying in Boston proper area or interested in going out to the Cape (Cod) or P'town at the tip of the Cape? It's quite a drive but you can also take the boat.

As you have already planned, there is whale watching. There are also cruises out to the islands (small inner harbor islands).

Don't forget about Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall area! New England Aquarium is right nearby.

You will also be a mere 45-minute ride from New Hampshire and its outlets with no sales tax. (Salem, NH)

Oh oh which reminds me, Salem MA with the witches. It also has the National Maritime Historic site.

Marblehead with its expensive crafts.

Gloucester for more artwork and ocean stuff.

Oh and Plymouth, for Plymouth Rock and Plimouth (yes, with an i) Plantation. Not sure about how active it'll be that time of year.

Elaine

[ncgal]

Cheryl,
Along with Toronto, you have picked another of my fav cities - Boston!! I have been twice. Once I went on a family trip and we drove up from NC. We didn't stay too long in the city as we spent time at the Cape and Martha's Vineyard also. I went with DH a few years ago in May. We flew up on a Friday morning and returned on Wednesday evening. There is ALOT to do in Boston and I'm sure you will not be able to do it all. Some things we really enjoyed: 2 Red Sox games , The Boston Pops, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the New England Aquarium, the John Hancock Observatory, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, JFK Library and Museum, Harvard, walking the Freedom trail, Fanuil (sp?) Hall, The Old North Church....it's really an amazing place. I think it reminds me of my all time favorite city - London. We stayed at a B&B called The Newbury Guest House. They have a website http://www.hagopianhotels.com/. It's located in the Back Bay. I used Frommers Boston travel guide to plan the trip. Good Luck planning!!

[CRCrazy]

Hi Cheryl - looks like you've already gotten lots of great Boston suggestions, so I won't add a whole lot, although I am SURE that somewhere in there, we will have to have a Boston Passporter's Meet - they are fantastic!!!

It looks like you will be flying from Boston to the West Coast to hit LA and Disneyland. I just wanted to give you a heads up as to some of the internal US carriers that don't post fares on the fare watchers - for example, Jetblue offers discounted fares from Boston to LA - frequently as low as $99 one way, which I imagine is what you'll be looking for. They don't book as far in advance as some of the bigger carriers however. Southwest also has very low one-way fares coast to coast, but if you are staying in Boston proper, you'd have to travel to Manchester, NH or Providence, RI to use them - and they only book 3-5 months out, as opposed to Jet Blue, who run 6-8 months out.

Jetblue also has Direct TV on the individual screens at each seat, which helps the time go by.

[Colexis Mom]

Hi Cheryl

We've been to San Francisco in September, so close to your time frame. It's a great city, with lots to do (the waterfront, Golden Gate Park, the various parts of town, Golden Gate Bridge). There's also Sausalito across the bridge, and you're only a little over an hour to wine country (Napa Valley). There's also Hearst Castle south of San Fran, and Monterey Bay (with a great aquarium ) and Carmel also.

Maybe consider driving up the coast from LA to San Fran (or vice versa ) if you're going to include it in your trip. Remember how we talked about flying within the states. It's not nearly as cheap as it is for you guys to hop to different countries.

Marie had a great suggestion with Jet Blue going cross country. You'll have to keep your eyes peeled for deals

[2princessmom]

Wow, great trip! You will love all the cities. I haven't been to Boston but my husband has been there many times as his brother went to Harvard and he went to Princeton. If you happen to be there at Halloween he loves all that they do. I am not sure it is my cup of tea but he loves to go to the Salem witch trials. That is all I can add to that as the other posts have included what he said to do.

As for San Fran. I have been there once and just loved it. I am an oceanographer so I loved the waterfront, Monterray Bay, the aquarium and if you go do Pier 39 where the seals spend their days. Totally cool to be so close to them. Amazing site to see 100's of them. When I was there I think they said the numbers were over 200. This is such a unique city and so much to do and see I don't think you could go wrong.

Las Vegas was an anniversary trip for us. We stayed at the Excalibur and loved it! They have a medieval joust tournament dinner that was hilarious! They give you no silverware and you pound your drink cup if you want seconds and also to voice your enthusiasm for your player! Total fun! We also did a tour of all the other casino's and loved them all! Bellagio and the Venetian were just being built and I can't wait to go and see them! I don't know if it is still there but if you like Coke, they had a Coke tour where you could watch them make the Coke and bottle it and it was attached to the M&M tour as well. What more can you ask for Coke and M&M's! The New York New York Hotel Rollercoaster is totally cool! I just loved it! Very cool to be above the hotels and the first drop makes you think that you are going to crash right into the street and of course that is when they take your picture! So I would recommend that! Also the Fremont Street Laser Light Show at night is not to be missed!! THink of it as a mini Wishes or Illuminations at WDW. Just amazing. You also can't go wrong with any of the shows and although we didn't do a major attraction the show we went to at the Riviera was amazing!
A day at Grand Canyon is a must! I just saw it for the first time two summers ago and all I can say is wow. If you are driving and have the time I would recommend the North Rim. It has less traffic but the view is sooo much better! They also have a lodge and you can stay in a cabin right on the rim. I don't remember how much they cost but I thought they were reasonable. When we go next summer that is what we are planning to do. You can also see the dam that is right outside of Las Vegas and I hear that is pretty cool.

As far as Washington DC. I have alot I can say. I lived there for 13 years and still have friends there if you need anything while you are there. I also have family as well that I know would help you out any way they can. Depending on how much time you have the musts are the Smithsonian. But I would decide what ones are critical and stick to your plan as each one could easily take up more than one day. I get lost in both the history and natural history musuem. The capitol and the mall is a wonderful walk especially seeing Washington monument, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials. I would not recommend the White HOuse tour as it has really changed over the years and I don't think it is worth the money. I haven't been back since 9/11 so it is possible that it isn't a possiblity any more. October is a nice time to visit but November can be very rainy and not as great as it is close to winter. Pre 9/11 you could do a Pentagon tour which I thought was interesting and if you go on one and they ask what is in the middle of the pentagon tell them a hot dog stand! Embassy row and the observatory is a nice drive. Georgetown is nice shopping and so is Arlington across from the pentagon and the tube takes you right to the mall at the pentagon for great shopping. I also like the Old post office building tour and shops. It has some of the best views for little money!
If you have time and have a car there are wonderful battlefield park tours right outside of DC and of course it isn't very far to drive to Williamsburg or Richmond.
Just pm me if you want more specific information on DC. If you need anything just let me know!

[chezp]

Wow - thank you so much for all the information guys, there's so much to take in! I've already looked at prices for October / November this year, as fares for when we want to go won't be out until December / January and I was amazed how cheap all the internal flights would be in the States - about £200 ($340) for three or four flights each, which I thought was very good. Maybe if you're booking from the UK, you get a better deal on internal flights?

I'll certainly bear in mind all your suggestions though - please keep them coming!

[ducklite]

1) Boston

Boston is an incredible city. I see that others have discussed it extensively, so I'm just going to add that it's worth making a trip to Salem as well, especially that time of the year. You can get there via public transit, but it would be much easier to just rent a car for the day. It can be on the cool side, not cold, but cool, so plan on dressing in layers.

2) Los Angeles - we're planning to mainly do Disneyland, but I know DH wants to look round the main tourism sites in Beverley Hills / Hollywood as well

Shopping on Rodeo Drive, looking around Hollywood, it's all fun, but in all honesty you don't need more than a couple of days. If you want to do the touristy thing, take one of those motorcoach tours of the Stars Homes. If you want to increase the possibility of having "stories to tell", stay at the Riot Hyatt...oops, did I say that? Seriously, the Hyatt on Sunset, home to many a tv being tosed out the window and motorcycle being ridden into the lobby by a drunk rock star is always interesting. You never know who you'll run into, or what will be going on. It's right next door to one of the Hollywood Comedy clubs, and an easy walk to many of the local attractions.

3) San Francisco (I'm not sure if we'll make it here or not)

You MUST! I'd give up all the time in the LA area for SF in a New York minute! I see that someone else also commented fairly extensively on it, so I'm not going to say much, but a few notes... The Fairmont is an incredible hotel, and I highly suggest looking into it. If it's out of your budget, the Miyako Hotel is simply wonderful, request one of the authentic Japanese rooms. It's in a very convenient location as well.

4) Las Vegas - we'd definitely put one day aside to go to the Grand Canyon

Don't forget the Hoover Dam! It's on the way to the Grand Canyon, and worth a stop. Regretfully they no longer conduct the more in depth tours, but you can still take a tour and walk through the interpretive centre. As far as hotels in Las Vegas, there are so many to choose from. Manadaly Bay has awesome pools, the view from the Voodoo Lounge atop the Rio as well as the buffet are both WELL WORTH making the short trip (free shuttle from the Mirage). The Rio also offers some extremely competitive mid-week rates, the rooms are HUGE and all have a coffee maker and minifridge. The Mirage and it's sister property Treasure Island are also great and in the middle of everything. I would stay clear of Circus Circus and the Imperial Palace, yuck and double yuck.

5) Washington DC

So much to see and do. The Wall is probably my favorite DC activity, I find it emotionally overwhleming and tranquil all in one. During the week, hotel rooms are exhorbitant, on the weekends the price comes way down. You might also want to look into staying in Alexandria, a short Metro ride from the heart of DC, where rooms are about 1/3 less.

I've spent extensive amounts of time in each of these cities, so let me know if you have any specific questions.

Anne

[FanOfMickey]

I agree with Ducklite, Definatly go to San Francisco, it is a Beautiful City!! It is a city I definatly plan to visit again. If I could afford it, I would love to live in San Francisco, it is my fave city in the US.

[Colexis Mom]

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I agree with Ducklite, Definatly go to San Francisco, it is a Beautiful City!! It is a city I definatly plan to visit again. If I could afford it, I would love to live in San Francisco, it is my fave city in the US.

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Ours too Janine. It was great when my SIL lived in Alameda and we could just pop over there

[FanOfMickey]

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I agree with Ducklite, Definatly go to San Francisco, it is a Beautiful City!! It is a city I definatly plan to visit again. If I could afford it, I would love to live in San Francisco, it is my fave city in the US.

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Ours too Janine. It was great when my SIL lived in Alameda and we could just pop over there

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My Uncle used to live in San Jose, I used to love going into San Fran when I went to visit him. lol wish he still lived there. Then I would get to San Fran more