There are four microbreweries within 200 yards of each other in the centre of town. That tells you a lot about Flagstaff. If you look me up on tripadvisor you'll see some places I recommend to eat there.
Williams and Kingman are worth a stop if you take the 66 through AZ. Just got back after 3 weeks out there, 2 on the West Coast, and travelled a fair chunk of the 66 on route to Vegas from the Grand Canyon. If you do the Grand Canyon I would recommend the South Rim. The North West section is the part Vegas uses as part of their daily tours, not as good as the South Rim.
We stayed in a one horse town just north of Kingman called Chloride. The locals were very friendly but you got the idea that annoying them would be a very bad idea.
Some great suggestions. But if you don't get to Chicago, you will miss out on the countries best city.
As far as cities are concerned there only 10 or so worth visiting - Chi, NYC, SF, San Diego, Miami, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Boston, Charleston or Savannah, Austin, DC and maybe LA.
The others are all cookie cutter lookalikes.
The best part of the country is the inbetween - the weird, the wonderful, the fucked-up, the beautiful.
Some great suggestions. But if you don't get to Chicago, you will miss out on the countries best city.
As far as cities are concerned there only 10 or so worth visiting - Chi, NYC, SF, San Diego, Miami, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Boston, Charleston or Savannah, Austin, DC and maybe LA.
The others are all cookie cutter lookalikes.
The best part of the country is the inbetween - the weird, the wonderful, the fucked-up, the beautiful.
This is what I mean when I say everyone has different things they like so it's difficult to recommend - I absolutely loved Washington, not on Chicago's list of 10, but found LA just a sprawling, traffic ridden mess of a place without an actual city centre.
Chicago WOULD be on my list of favouite places though :-)
Pittsburgh is a very under-estimated American city. Very beautiful with all its bridges and pretty clean.
Whilst you are over that way, go Philadelphia. Lots of history. Try a Geno's Philly cheese steak. Cant go wrong.
Its an amazing country with so much to do, but the best thing about it is the people.
Americans get a lot of stick for being loud/fat, but they really are the most welcoming and friendly people. If you are going for 3 months, you will make plenty of mates!
Some great suggestions. But if you don't get to Chicago, you will miss out on the countries best city.
As far as cities are concerned there only 10 or so worth visiting - Chi, NYC, SF, San Diego, Miami, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Boston, Charleston or Savannah, Austin, DC and maybe LA.
The others are all cookie cutter lookalikes.
The best part of the country is the inbetween - the weird, the wonderful, the fucked-up, the beautiful.
This is what I mean when I say everyone has different things they like so it's difficult to recommend - I absolutely loved Washington, not on Chicago's list of 10, but found LA just a sprawling, traffic ridden mess of a place without an actual city centre.
Chicago WOULD be on my list of favouite places though :-)
It's very true: it's all subjective. Off the top of my head, I'd add St Louis, Denver, Dallas, Buffalo (for the Niagara Falls alone), Memphis, Nashville, Sante Fe, St Augustine and Honolulu to that list and, in Texas, I'd replace Austin with San Antonio.
Useless little known fact of the day: Nutbush, Tennessee doesn't have city limits - it's an "unincorporated community". So you can't even rely upon Ike & Tina....
Boston is good but would suggest only 1-2 days there as it is quite small and there isn't a lot to do there in terms of nightlife. Once you've seen the main center and maybe a landmark or two (Fenway) - you're pretty much sorted. Have been there four times with work and just find myself going to the same old places.
San Francisco. The bay area is mindblowing. The scenery is something out of this world.
Some great suggestions. But if you don't get to Chicago, you will miss out on the countries best city.
As far as cities are concerned there only 10 or so worth visiting - Chi, NYC, SF, San Diego, Miami, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Boston, Charleston or Savannah, Austin, DC and maybe LA.
The others are all cookie cutter lookalikes.
The best part of the country is the inbetween - the weird, the wonderful, the fucked-up, the beautiful.
completely agree with this.
Ps, completely avoid New Mexico, it's a dump. Stray dogs and meth heads everywhere. Definitely tarnished my view of the states.
Some great suggestions. But if you don't get to Chicago, you will miss out on the countries best city.
As far as cities are concerned there only 10 or so worth visiting - Chi, NYC, SF, San Diego, Miami, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Boston, Charleston or Savannah, Austin, DC and maybe LA.
The others are all cookie cutter lookalikes.
The best part of the country is the inbetween - the weird, the wonderful, the fucked-up, the beautiful.
I do like Chicago a lot - you have missed my favourite though, Portland, Oregon.
Boston is good but would suggest only 1-2 days there as it is quite small and there isn't a lot to do there in terms of nightlife. Once you've seen the main center and maybe a landmark or two (Fenway) - you're pretty much sorted. Have been there four times with work and just find myself going to the same old places.
San Francisco. The bay area is mindblowing. The scenery is something out of this world.
Spent 3 weeks in San Fran on our honeymoon - loved it especially up & down the coast, but for sheer mind blowing scenery - pop north over the border to Vancouver (below)
Even Calgary the closest city to me isn't too shabby on the scenery front
Another vote for Chicago - someone described it as the ultimate American city, while New York is international and LA is just a sprawl. Parts of the city centre have an attractive 1950s feel, while a little way out the various ethnic neighbourhoods are good for eating and entertainment. Plenty of live music in bars, a superb art museum, and a frontage on Lake Michigan with sandy beaches for good swimming.
LA did seem like a horrible sprawl, but I have a feeling if you have the time there are certain real highlights to be explored there perhaps with some local knowledge.
if you do go chicago ... make sure you lodge in a decent location. Some cheap hotels that advertise as Downtown chicago are more like on the outside city limits in poor neighborhoods. Chicago is literally the murder capital of the world so please be careful and selective on where you would be staying. Paying extra to be located in the Loop downtown would be well worth it.
Boston is good but would suggest only 1-2 days there as it is quite small and there isn't a lot to do there in terms of nightlife. Once you've seen the main center and maybe a landmark or two (Fenway) - you're pretty much sorted. Have been there four times with work and just find myself going to the same old places.
San Francisco. The bay area is mindblowing. The scenery is something out of this world.
Spent 3 weeks in San Fran on our honeymoon - loved it especially up & down the coast, but for sheer mind blowing scenery - pop north over the border to Vancouver (below)
Even Calgary the closest city to me isn't too shabby on the scenery front
@Oakster, having not long got back from 3 weeks out that way I cannot agree more. Didn't suggest Vancouver or Victoria as the thread was about the US but I loved both and they are in a stunning setting. I was initially a bit unimpressed with Portland but we did a 'for tips only' walking tour for a morning and I really warmed to the place the more I found out about it and the longer we stayed. Mmm...Voodoo Donuts were the business too!
I was at Lake Tahoe with Mrs cafcfan, taking in the scenery when this huge member of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Hell's Angels (proudly wearing his colors) came over to me and offered to take our photo - I thought, oh, how can I refuse - crap - there goes the camera. But he was really friendly and took a fairly decent piccy too! Do we look nervous or what?
Thanks for all the feedback and advice, its greatly appreciated. Not really interested in museums or galleries. Looking for a bit of culture, scenery, weather, food & drink. The vague plan is to fly in to San Francisco stay there for a few days, hire a car and drive down highway 1, then a few more days in LA. We are then going to fly to Vegas for five days, then up to Colorado. Then who knows what? Plenty of the things mentioned here are on the wish list. There is just far to much to see and do, so no doubt loads will be missed. We're not going to either Alaska or Florida. Any ideas where to spend Thanks Giving?
Some people take a lifetime to see all of the great sights. As one of the other posters said, don't overreach and spend half of your vacation in a car/airplane. I would keep the time dedicated to one general part of the country (I.e west) and you will enjoy it more. Spend no more than 2-3 days per major city as the countryside is the real draw. You could probably do an itinerary of portland/Oregon nature sights/northern cal wine country/San Francisco/Yosemite/pacific coast drive/San Diego/Joshua tree/desert drive through Mohave/Las Vegas/Utah canyons and finish in Colorado Rockies flying back from Denver and see a ton of sights. You received some very good suggestions from people on this site that would fit into that itinerary. Places like Montana/Dakotas Are beautiful but would a couple of long days of driving to get there and back. Northeast is more about the cities and are easier to get to if you take a shorter vacation somewhere down the road. Southeast is full of charm and has nice towns but does not have the natural wonders of the west.
Colorado was where I was based. Worked in Estes Park for the 3 summers and Breckenridge for 2 winters. Driving from Vegas to Denver is great...... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_parks_of_the_United_States In Colorado would stay in Boulder/Estes Park. In Denver is worth visiting Golden (Coors brewery town) From Colorado would do Wyoming (yellow stone and devils tower) Montana (glacier and little big horn) north and south Dakota.....badlands, deadwood & mount rushmore)
Popicon. If you want an authentic thanksgiving, you probably want to have it in a place where it is a little cooler in November. 70 degrees in southern cal doesn't give you the right atmosphere. New England would be ideal given the fall foliage but is pretty far from the first part of your itinerary. Also, most Americans eat in with the family. Very few decent restaurants are open. maybe you can meet a nice family on your travels who wouldn't mind some guests. Ny and chicago both have thanksgiving day parades. You can even have the meal at the original thanksgiving sight at the Plymouth plantation in Massachusetts.
Thanks for all the feedback and advice, its greatly appreciated. Not really interested in museums or galleries. Looking for a bit of culture, scenery, weather, food & drink. The vague plan is to fly in to San Francisco stay there for a few days, hire a car and drive down highway 1, then a few more days in LA. We are then going to fly to Vegas for five days, then up to Colorado. Then who knows what? Plenty of the things mentioned here are on the wish list. There is just far to much to see and do, so no doubt loads will be missed. We're not going to either Alaska or Florida. Any ideas where to spend Thanks Giving?
Thanks again.
From Vegas to Colorado, there is a north or south route if driving (you will miss so much of flying!):
North via Zion, Bryce, Highway 12/24, Capitol Reef, Moab (for Arches and Canyonlands), then across the mountains to Denver; or south via Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Four Corners, Mesa Verde, Durango (for the railroad) and up through the Rockies.
Both have excellent things to do and see along the way (my personal preference would be the north route (as it is less well trodden).
Thanks for all the feedback and advice, its greatly appreciated. Not really interested in museums or galleries. Looking for a bit of culture, scenery, weather, food & drink. The vague plan is to fly in to San Francisco stay there for a few days, hire a car and drive down highway 1, then a few more days in LA. We are then going to fly to Vegas for five days, then up to Colorado. Then who knows what? Plenty of the things mentioned here are on the wish list. There is just far to much to see and do, so no doubt loads will be missed. We're not going to either Alaska or Florida. Any ideas where to spend Thanks Giving?
Thanks again.
Agree about Yosemite and the national parks. We drove north on the coastal highway to SF, then across to Yosemite, then took the scenic route through the Sierras to Vegas. On the way we passed through Sequoia National Park (the big redwoods you can drive through) and came across a viewpoint called Moro Rock. You drive through the forest, stop at a small car park and follow a short trail which leads you out onto a rocky outcrop. Before you is the Great Western Divide - a stunning panarama of mountain ranges.
Its a long time since I was there but LA really doesn't have much to offer apart from Disney, Universal and Knotts Berry Farm so I would give it a miss.
Comments
As far as cities are concerned there only 10 or so worth visiting - Chi, NYC, SF, San Diego, Miami, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Boston, Charleston or Savannah, Austin, DC and maybe LA.
The others are all cookie cutter lookalikes.
The best part of the country is the inbetween - the weird, the wonderful, the fucked-up, the beautiful.
Chicago WOULD be on my list of favouite places though :-)
Whilst you are over that way, go Philadelphia. Lots of history. Try a Geno's Philly cheese steak. Cant go wrong.
Its an amazing country with so much to do, but the best thing about it is the people.
Americans get a lot of stick for being loud/fat, but they really are the most welcoming and friendly people. If you are going for 3 months, you will make plenty of mates!
Useless little known fact of the day: Nutbush, Tennessee doesn't have city limits - it's an "unincorporated community". So you can't even rely upon Ike & Tina....
San Francisco. The bay area is mindblowing. The scenery is something out of this world.
Ps, completely avoid New Mexico, it's a dump. Stray dogs and meth heads everywhere. Definitely tarnished my view of the states.
Even Calgary the closest city to me isn't too shabby on the scenery front
Good to see zero recommendations for Atlanta across the first 2 pages of this thread.....L.A is a much better city to visit eh?!
Any ideas where to spend Thanks Giving?
Thanks again.
Driving from Vegas to Denver is great......
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_parks_of_the_United_States
In Colorado would stay in Boulder/Estes Park. In Denver is worth visiting Golden (Coors brewery town)
From Colorado would do Wyoming (yellow stone and devils tower) Montana (glacier and little big horn) north and south Dakota.....badlands, deadwood & mount rushmore)
Thanksgiving...............
http://www.visitwilliamsburg.com/seasons/thanksgiving/
North via Zion, Bryce, Highway 12/24, Capitol Reef, Moab (for Arches and Canyonlands), then across the mountains to Denver;
or south via Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Four Corners, Mesa Verde, Durango (for the railroad) and up through the Rockies.
Both have excellent things to do and see along the way (my personal preference would be the north route (as it is less well trodden).
Have fun!
Its a long time since I was there but LA really doesn't have much to offer apart from Disney, Universal and Knotts Berry Farm so I would give it a miss.