G'day everyone. I'm planning my very first trip to the United States towards the middle of next year. I am completely at loss for what I should see and what I can do to make the most out of my trip. I am planning to visit the east coast which will include New York and Washington DC. Do you have any tips and advice for a confused Australian? And oh yes, I also plan to drive for parts of my trip. Any advice for car rental and driving on the right side of the road? Thanks!
Are you planning to make it out West to the mountains and national parks and such? also...do you know about couch surfing http://www.couchsurfing.com
Here's a good tip: Go to "The Cloisters" in New York. It's a bit of a hike... you have to take 2 different subways and a bus to get there. It's up in far north part of Manhattan. Unbelievable museum. Absolutely beautiful. Get the guided audio tour and enjoy. The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) was also amazing. But I'm a museum buff... One more NY tip... had lunch at a bar called Hi Life. Good burger and a great vibe to the place. 72nd Street & First Avenue.
When driving in the US, yellow on your left white on your right. Don't want you going down the wrong side of the freeway.
Depending on where you stay in NYC (for instance on Manhattan - Midtown/Times Square) expect to pay about $250-300 per night for a decent place. Anything less is pretty bad. Central Park and East Mid-Town is usually cheaper. The lines for the Statue of Liberty are extremely long, especially during the summer. Top of the Rock (Rockerfeller Plaza) gives a great view of the the city, much better than the Empire State Building. If you could afford to do it, I think those Real New York Tours or Bike New York tours would be great for foreigners. I thought DC was really cool when I was kid, I'd like to go again. There's so much to see in the nations capital that there were things that I wish I had seen but didn't have enough time in the 2 days that we were there. What all do you really want to see? Historic stuff? Partying? (Hookers?) You should check out LA, or Las Vegas. Both are my faves!! Good luck on your trip!
MY BAD!! Don't go to the "Hi Life" on upper east side... go to the "HI LIFE BAR & GRILL" on the upper WEST side. West 83rd near Broadway.
As an aussie living in the USA, I have lots of advice for you. How long are you coming for, and where do you want to go? A car is a great way to get around, and the USA is very well set up for "car tourism", but just be aware that it can be expensive, especially with insurance. Most americans (and residents) have insurance included with their personal vehicles, and don't have to pay it when they rent a car. You will have to take out full coverage, which will probably be around $30 per day on top of the rental rate. I wouldn't worry about driving on the wrong side of the road - you will get used to it quickly enough.
agreed with this! (and since it's all email driven -- you don't need a US address. You'll have to fudge your zip -- I use 90210, but I think 00000 or 99999 also work).
Thanks! This was the first place I went after we checked into the hotel, on my first trip to New York. I was starving, tired from flying, and badly in need of a stiff drink. Hi Life was my oasis. The place is burned in my memory now. Is your moniker a reference to the 1972 film, the Bobby Womack song from the 1972 film, or are you actually "across 110th street" in NYC?
Also if you are staying in Hostels talk to the staff and people there and they will usually have good tips.
When we were in Australia, we found it was more confusing to be a pedestrian as we would look the wrong way for traffic when crossing a street, so be careful about that. We did have the cleanest windshield in Australia as I was constantly hitting the washer instead of the turn signal. With respect to car rentals, make sure you have the insurance you need. Our (i.e. my) auto insurance automatically covers us if we are in the U.S. renting a car, but outside the country I need to make sure my credit card covers it or I purchase it through the rental agency. If my middle, you mean June, July, August, it will be hot, even on the East coast. If you like baseball, taking in a Yankees or Red Sox game, would probably be an experience you would enjoy.
lol,, a little bit of both. i was living up there long ago when i registered for this account. I was watching Jackie Brown at the time and doing crosstown missions. acrosshollywoodblvd would be more appropriate title these days... for the OP, there are some really good threads for visiting NYC. I'll see if I can dig up "the best of" but there are simply a million things to do while you are in New York. my tip would be to avoid driving altogether. live like you are immersed in the world of the place you are visiting. take public transit everywhere you go. take a train or a public bus from NYC to DC. you will probably save stress as well as money and meet the people that make up these great cities. NYC has the most reliable transit system in the world and DC's subway system is known to be famous for it's architecture and cleanliness...
Some stuff that might help qualify suggestions: What do you like to do on a regular basis? How old are you?
