The land of the free (ish)

[Bob's Orange]

Alright chaps.

I am off to the US in a couple of weeks. Going to be flying into Boston on Saturday 9th October and having lunch with friends before travelling to New York for 3 nights. I was supposed to be staying with a friend but that has fallen through so it looks like I may be going solo in the Big Apple.

Some questions for people who have been to NY. Can you recommend a decent hotel which is central but won't cost the earth? Also, what are the Must see things in the City, I assume its the usual Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building etc etc?

Also, I have just booked my flights to Vegas next year for a wedding. I am going to be flying into Vegas in March and flying out of San Francisco 2 weeks later. I'll be spending 3-4 days in Vegas and then looking to visit the West Coast/California area. So far I have pencilled in San Francisco and San Diego to see, and of course the Grand Canyon and the wine area of Cali are also on the agenda.

Has anyone got any tips of where I should definately go?

[[email protected]]

I can recommend http://www.michelangelohotel.com/ as somehwere to stay as it is in the middle of Manhatten (5 min walk to Times Square), but still very quiet inside so you are not kept awake by sirens going off all night!
For the sights you can take the Statten Island Ferry (free) which goes past the Statue Of Liberty, and can also recommend "Top Of The Rock" at the Rockerfeller centre as it gives you fantastic views of the city (empire state, central park, and statue of liberty if you have good weather).
It is also worth taking one of the "hop on, hop off" tour busses!

[Benzel]

Speaking of Boston. I had no idea Lloyd Grossman was from Boston. I always thought he was English.

[nevillew]

Definitely a 'hop on hop off' bus in New York

They do coach tours out to the winelands from SF

Give LA a miss (it's a great big freeway)

[Sippo]

San Fran is ace. Definately visit Union Square, and Alacatraz. Just a great vibrant city.

It's shame the seals have left pier 39, as that was a sight and smell!!

[Nick Bamosomi]

If you don't have much time, I wouldn't bother with the Statue of Liberty, as the queues there are horrendous, but you can take boat trips round Manhattan which will take you round the Statue for good photo opportunities. I recommend a boat trip http://www.circleline42.com/new-york-cruises/browse.aspx?type=&groupid=1
The 3 hour full island trip is good value.
Again if you don't have much time, Empire state can have you queueing for hours unless you have a fast track pass which is expensive but you just get to junp all the queues. Top of the Rock is usually less crowded but still with great views as Rich the ref said.
Central Park is also a great place to visit, and the Roosevelt Island Tramway is a good and unusual way of seeing some of the skyline too.
You'll love your trip.

[Bob's Orange]

Cheers all, thats really helpful

rich, looked at that hotel but it was going to cost about 1,700 dollars for 3 nights, its a little out of my price range!!

[Batch]

Give LA a miss (it's a great big freeway)

That's a massive understatement there. A hell hole of a traffic jam with no redeeming features other than Universal Studios. Hated the place, never going back in my own time (thankfully it was a work thing).

NYC = not much to add. Staten island ferry goes past the statue of liberty if you can't be arsed with a pleasure trip. Empire state building was crazy busy. Grand Central Station is worth a look/picture inside; Would mention the whispering wall by the oyster bar but you need two for that. Coney Island is a delapidated blackpook

SF - Brilliant place with one drawback - homeless bums. But other than that its great. I would love to go back there!

[@MacPhlea]

Stay off Manhattan - if you stay in the Doubletree in Jersey state it's half the price and is right next to the 10 minute tube for central manhattan ($750 with View of NYC)
http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/EWRWTDT-Doubletree-Hotel-Jersey-City-New-Jersey/index.do

Do the helicopter tour $125 worth every cent.

Don't bother with the Empire State - even with fast track it doesn't get you all the way to the top - you have to pay extra for that. Do the Rockafella instead - cheaper and better

Do the trade centre visit (sadly it hasn't got the same view as it used too )

Do the Beretta gun shop - even if you don't like guns it's one cool place to go for bespoke items you don't find anywhere else...

Lots of bars to choose from

[Super Jan fjortoft]

There are some good micro breweries on the front where piers are which do good grub and good beer. Also eat the hotdogs they are great. The hop on and off bus is a really good way to get around.

[Nick Bamosomi]

This is where we stayed in NY - 5 mins from Grand Central/Subway, 5 mins from Bryant Park and 10 minx max from Times Square. http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/nyces-courtyard-new-york-manhattan-fifth-avenue
There is a superb cafe next door called Cafe Charlie for Breakfast all the locals use it - amazing place and very reasonable.

[No Longer Posh Red]

If you get a chance it's worth doing the 'Bike the Bridge' thing in San Fran.

It's not a particularly hard ride if you get the ferry back from Sausilito

Only other thing I would say is don't try to drive Hwy 1 too quickly, you will miss so much. And be prepared for the Fog

[Bob's Orange]

Cheers for all the responses, very helpful.

Is there any chance at all I'll be able to watch the Bristol Rovers game on Monday 11th October? Guessing Irish bars may be my best bet, not holding out much hope that lower league English football will be shown anywhere.

[Abrahammer]

Cheers for all the responses, very helpful.

Is there any chance at all I'll be able to watch the Bristol Rovers game on Monday 11th October? Guessing Irish bars may be my best bet, not holding out much hope that lower league English football will be shown anywhere.

Yea there's a few British/Irish "pubs", simple google search will find them.

If you are looking to save money then i would stay in Brooklyn or Queens, same standard accomodation as Manhatten will cost you 30-40% less and its only a few minutes from Manhatten on the subway.

Staten Island ferry is free and provides the best views of Skyline and Liberty, try not to go during rush hour though as locals dont like tourists slowing their commute.

[Nomoreheroes]

If you are driving from Vegas to West Coast I would consider:

For scenery:
- Hoover Dam (NM)
- Capitol Reef (Az)
- Grand Canyon (Az)
- Zion National Park (Utah)
- Arches National Park (Utah)
- Bryce Canyon (Utah)

West Coast:
- Coronado
- Monteray - Carmel (17 mile drive)