Vacation In USA?

[ardandy]

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!

[Setec Astronomy]

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).

[tom p.]

Originally Posted by ardandy

3 Days In New York
3 Days In Las Vegas
7 Days In Banff (Possibly, undecided as of now)

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

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.

[ardandy]

We've already 'done' Florida so we can scratch that off.

Las Vegas or San Francisco then?

[porta]

I would go to SF over LV.

[FlowRate]

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!

[calgarydetail]

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

[longdx]

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.

[MASKDMARVL]

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.

[landcruiser]

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.

[ardandy]

Really torn between SF & LV.

I think just for the spectacle LV will win out!

[JasonC8301]

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