First time to the US - comments on itinerary

[Worrellson]

Apologies if anyone else has already mentioned this (I haven't read the whole thread) but it can be worthwhile to put your name down to see the taping of iconic TV shows, especially in New York. The year before last I saw Stephen Colbert recording his late night show in the Ed Sullivan Theatre - Tom Hanks was the main guest. As it's pre-recorded you arrive around 5pm so it's not a late night. And in January I saw "Late Night with Seth Meyers" at the NBC Rockefeller Center.

You aren't guaranteed tickets (they're free), but with Seth Meyers I was notified a couple of days before that I hadn't got one, then an hour or so later one was offered via email. You also have to get there exactly at the appointed time as they give out more tickets than seats.

Details here: Late Night with Seth Meyers - they have a lot of other free shows and events too.

 

[Warks]

Having driven over most of the USA myself, in the past 10 years I have started using Amtrak and never looked back. About 6 years ago (alone) I took the Empire Building from Chicago to Seattle, 2.5 days, cost about US$450 which includes a roomette made up into a bed each night and includes all meals. Last year took another train 39hrs from Union Station LAX to King St Seattle (US$363), again own room and all meals. You get to sit there and watch the world go by. You don't see much at 38K feet so something to consider.

That's excellent value. Compare that with the Indian Pacific or Ghan. We looked at Amtrak from NYC to Philadelphia in 2015 and it was going to be something like $100 per person. Took a coach for $10 each.

 

[VPS]

Having driven over most of the USA myself, in the past 10 years I have started using Amtrak and never looked back. About 6 years ago (alone) I took the Empire Building from Chicago to Seattle, 2.5 days, cost about US$450 which includes a roomette made up into a bed each night and includes all meals. Last year took another train 39hrs from Union Station LAX to King St Seattle (US$363), again own room and all meals. You get to sit there and watch the world go by. You don't see much at 38K feet so something to consider.

With the roomette - do you have to share or can you pay extra to have it to yourself. I've done some checking on the Amtrak site and it isn't clear. Also - I presume with the roomette there are no facilities - don't want to sidetrack this thread so feel free to PM me TIA

 

[Lynda2475]

We looked at Amtrak from NYC to Philadelphia in 2015 and it was going to be something like $100 per person.

Avoid Amtrak, if you want to get train from NYC to Philly, take the NJ TRansit from Penn Station to Trenton, then connect to Septa to get into down town Philly, it will be under $20, and take about 90 mins door to door.

 

[Worrellson]

With the roomette - do you have to share or can you pay extra to have it to yourself. I've done some checking on the Amtrak site and it isn't clear. Also - I presume with the roomette there are no facilities - don't want to sidetrack this thread so feel free to PM me TIA

You pay per roomette and they take up to two people so if you're travelling by yourself you don't share. There are also rooms that can sleep more people but unlike some countries, none of them have strangers sharing as you pay by the room. In January I went in a roomette from Chicago to Philly and return, NYC to Chicago, both overnight. It was such a great way to travel and you can use the first class lounges at either end, even if you start or end your trip in economy - the sleeper service went as far as Washington DC and I changed trains for the short leg to Philly. While the New York and Washington DC lounges are pretty ordinary (although still better than sitting on a bench outside), the Chicago Amtrak Metropolitan lounge was fantastic, more like an airline lounge than the others. And I should add that they have free luggage storage rooms at the lounges and showers in the Chicago one.

Next time I go back to the US I'd love to do the 4 night or so trip from Washington DC to San Francisco.

 

[kiwitripper64]

It sounds like an awesome trip. In Seattle you really should see Chihuly glass next to the space needle www.chihulygardenandglass.com. If you can get there before dusk and spend an hour watching the outdoor garden transform from daylight to the night lights.I found the Boeing tour a bit sterile with a long bus trip, a wait before the tour and then a collection of big planes in partial assembly.
If you are planning on a trip to the Grand canyon, I would recommend the South rim. We stayed a few nights in LV, then caught the complimentary bus to Boulder City Nevada. We left our suitcase with airline company as they will only take small bags and flew to the south rim. There is a 15 min taxi to the National Park lodges and once there you will find a good regular hop on/off bus service up and down the rim. we stayed the night, flew back after sunrise and breakfast, picked up our suitcase, caught the bus to Las Vegas airport and flew out. The main issue was getting accommodation at the south rim, but the rest was easy.

 

[VPS]

You pay per roomette and they take up to two people so if you're travelling by yourself you don't share. There are also rooms that can sleep more people but unlike some countries, none of them have strangers sharing as you pay by the room. In January I went in a roomette from Chicago to Philly and return, NYC to Chicago, both overnight. It was such a great way to travel and you can use the first class lounges at either end, even if you start or end your trip in economy - the sleeper service went as far as Washington DC and I changed trains for the short leg to Philly. While the New York and Washington DC lounges are pretty ordinary (although still better than sitting on a bench outside), the Chicago Amtrak Metropolitan lounge was fantastic, more like an airline lounge than the others. And I should add that they have free luggage storage rooms at the lounges and showers in the Chicago one.

Next time I go back to the US I'd love to do the 4 night or so trip from Washington DC to San Francisco.

Thanks - and I'm assuming no toilet or shower - I'm thinking about going from Seattle to Chicago

 

[VPS]

It sounds like an awesome trip. In Seattle you really should see Chihuly glass next to the space needle www.chihulygardenandglass.com. If you can get there before dusk and spend an hour watching the outdoor garden transform from daylight to the night lights.I found the Boeing tour a bit sterile with a long bus trip, a wait before the tour and then a collection of big planes in partial assembly.
If you are planning on a trip to the Grand canyon, I would recommend the South rim. We stayed a few nights in LV, then caught the complimentary bus to Boulder City Nevada. We left our suitcase with airline company as they will only take small bags and flew to the south rim. There is a 15 min taxi to the National Park lodges and once there you will find a good regular hop on/off bus service up and down the rim. we stayed the night, flew back after sunrise and breakfast, picked up our suitcase, caught the bus to Las Vegas airport and flew out. The main issue was getting accommodation at the south rim, but the rest was easy.

Chihuly is definitely on my list of things to do

 

[rock86]

You pay per roomette and they take up to two people so if you're travelling by yourself you don't share. There are also rooms that can sleep more people but unlike some countries, none of them have strangers sharing as you pay by the room. In January I went in a roomette from Chicago to Philly and return, NYC to Chicago, both overnight. It was such a great way to travel and you can use the first class lounges at either end, even if you start or end your trip in economy - the sleeper service went as far as Washington DC and I changed trains for the short leg to Philly. While the New York and Washington DC lounges are pretty ordinary (although still better than sitting on a bench outside), the Chicago Amtrak Metropolitan lounge was fantastic, more like an airline lounge than the others. And I should add that they have free luggage storage rooms at the lounges and showers in the Chicago one.

Next time I go back to the US I'd love to do the 4 night or so trip from Washington DC to San Francisco.

It sounds like an awesome trip. In Seattle you really should see Chihuly glass next to the space needle www.chihulygardenandglass.com. If you can get there before dusk and spend an hour watching the outdoor garden transform from daylight to the night lights.I found the Boeing tour a bit sterile with a long bus trip, a wait before the tour and then a collection of big planes in partial assembly.
If you are planning on a trip to the Grand canyon, I would recommend the South rim. We stayed a few nights in LV, then caught the complimentary bus to Boulder City Nevada. We left our suitcase with airline company as they will only take small bags and flew to the south rim. There is a 15 min taxi to the National Park lodges and once there you will find a good regular hop on/off bus service up and down the rim. we stayed the night, flew back after sunrise and breakfast, picked up our suitcase, caught the bus to Las Vegas airport and flew out. The main issue was getting accommodation at the south rim, but the rest was easy.

The train piqued my interest a little, then with reading peoples comments about staying at the South Rim at least for a night, I wondered whether there was a train which may serve this purpose.

Turns out the Amtrack trains @Worrellson is talking about, the 'Southwest Chief' leaves LA at 6pm then arrives at Flagstaff, AZ 5.30am the next morning. This looks to be a pretty interesting option, although would probably come at the expense of one night in LA - but has the benefit of travelling while sleeping!

 

[rock86]

Chihuly is definitely on my list of things to do

After looking through the website and the fact we'll visit the space needle while we're there, we'll definitely be visiting also.

 

[VPS]

First came across Chihuly in Kew Gardens in 2005 and loved it (he's back again this year so hopefully I will get there before it finishes) but he is just amazing.

 

[clipped_wings]

Bah humbug to the member who decreed LA is the rectum in his analogy (no pun intended).

I adore LA - simply because it hasn't ticked the box as a mecca for pilgrims to preserve and honour, or a cerebral ode to history or some cultural revolution. It's eclectic and unpredictable. Disneyland is FUN and unless you've never seen a Star Wars movie - the biggest thing since George Lucas is exploding in Anaheim this June. (I shall be there next January to review).

If you can't find yourself in a place like LA - then you're not looking hard enough.

 

[frankie4fingers]

Hi all

I have been following this thread with interest as my wife and I are headed to NY in Sept for the first time. We have been recommended a place by a friend who has stayed in Sugar Hill (710 Guest Suites | Harlem, New York City) and wonder if anybody has experience of this suburb as a base.

The accommodation is very close to the subway and one of the points specifically called out on the website is ........The A or D express will whisk you to 59th Street/Columbus Circle in two stops, or ten minutes. For Central Park points take the B or C local.

This doesn't mean much to me having never been so would welcome the advice from the seasoned NY visitors.

Thanks.

 

[get me outta here]

People on here will make some suggestions. Tripadvisor is also a great source of information, if you post on there with your exact dates, your budget, the type of bed configuration and what your ideals are, they will make excellent suggestions. New York city forum: New York City Forum, Travel Discussion for New York City, New York - TripAdvisor

Hi all

I have been following this thread with interest as my wife and I are headed to NY in Sept for the first time. We have been recommended a place by a friend who has stayed in Sugar Hill (710 Guest Suites | Harlem, New York City) and wonder if anybody has experience of this suburb as a base.

The accommodation is very close to the subway and one of the points specifically called out on the website is ........The A or D express will whisk you to 59th Street/Columbus Circle in two stops, or ten minutes. For Central Park points take the B or C local.

This doesn't mean much to me having never been so would welcome the advice from the seasoned NY visitors.

Thanks.

 

[frankie4fingers]

People on here will make some suggestions. Tripadvisor is also a great source of information, if you post on there with your exact dates, your budget, the type of bed configuration and what your ideals are, they will make excellent suggestions. New York city forum: New York City Forum, Travel Discussion for New York City, New York - TripAdvisor

Thanks for the info. Look forward to other views of the neighbourhood as a base.

 

[get me outta here]

It seems that part of Harlem is safe. NYC is pretty easy to get around on the subway. I like to have eating places and Wholefoods/Trader Joe's nearby, so see what's nearby. See if the subway lines near the hotel go to the places you want to go, museums, restaurants, theatres etc. You will have to change sometimes though. Often, you may end up walking in preference to subways to generally explore. How often does the A and D Express run? Can you hop on a bus when you need a seat? Subway map - mta.info | MTA Subway Map

There's also the thread here on things to do in NYC which has lots of advice. Search Results for Query: new york | Australian Frequent Flyer
Still suggest you look at the TA NYC forum.

 

[rock86]

While we're talking NYC area's, bringing back to my OP and the fact we'll be changing hotels in NYC as I'm not willing to pay $2,000+ a night cash for the St Regis just to stay at the same hotel.

If people were in the same situation, would they stay close by in the same surrounding area (Midtown) or stay in a different area to get a different feel for the city and cab it on the changeover day?

 

[get me outta here]

I'd go somewhere else. Maybe the Lower East Side. (the LES). But, anywhere reasonable will be a good place. Do you have any loyalty preferences?

Lower East Side New York City: Discover 2 Hotels and 228 Restaurants in New York City, NY - TripAdvisor

 

[rock86]

I'd go somewhere else. Maybe the Lower East Side. (the LES). Do you have any loyalty preferences?

No loyalty preferences, I usually use Virtuoso or a TA aligned program if booking with certain chains (ie. Hyatt Prive).

Actually, looking at your suggestion seems pretty good. That way we could do the things we wanted to those days which are close by and check them off the list (ie. World Trade Centre, Brooklyn Bridge).

 

[get me outta here]

And in the LES itself, the Tenement Museum (book a local walk in advance and definitely see their short film first), Beautiful Stained glass window and history in the Synagogue Discover Jewish New York - Museum at Eldridge Street, all the little local streets with lots of interesting little places, and the small market for a bit of fruit: Essex St Market. etc

No loyalty preferences, I usually use Virtuoso or a TA aligned program if booking with certain chains (ie. Hyatt Prive).

Actually, looking at your suggestion seems pretty good. That way we could do the things we wanted to those days which are close by and check them off the list (ie. World Trade Centre, Brooklyn Bridge).