3 months for 2 girls

Hi!

My friend and I are looking to fly out to the USA from england in May next year. We want to do a 3 month road trip seeing as much as possible.
We really want to get a taste of 'real' America but we want to see some of the tourist spots as well.
At the moment we feel like we want to visit everything but we know that is impossible in the time we have. We definitely want to visit New York, Washington DC and Florida.
What other places would you reccomend and class as 'must see' places?
We are both 22 and obviously with us being 2 girls on our own safety is a very important aspect to us.
Thanks
Lois

Have ya'll thought about how you will get a vehicle? I know that most companies will not rent to people under 25. I know that this topic has come up before, so try searching car hire or rentals versus purchase on the forum.

I often travel alone or with my sister. Granted, she's taller than many men, but we've never felt threatened. Just use common sense, like don't wander off alone at hotels, etc and you'll be fine.

I'd suggest purchasing a National Parks Pass ($50 or $60). This pays for admission to all the National parks that charge admission fees.

This takes me to your question of what to see. I highly suggest the American west. The parks pass will come in handy for parks such as the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Bryce, Glacier, etc. If you'll let us know what interests you we can help narrow your journey destinations.

Laura

Thanks for your help. Yeah we noticed that if they do hire to under 25's it's expensive! We are actually just debating at the minute what would be best for us to do buy or hire.
We are really interested in historical monuments, buildings etc and definitely want to visit some national parks. We would also like to get a taste of the nighlife and it would be great to attend some carnivals or festivals. Also I am very musical so somewhere that is related to music would be nice to see.
We are planning to finish in New York so we can do some shopping before coming home!
We are not really into anything to physical like climbing, cycling etc.
Does that give you a better idea of what we are into?
Thanks again

I'm assuming you'll be here in the Summer time... perhaps I missed that? Anyway - when it comes to music I have one place that's a MUST. Tuacahn. This is an outdoor ampatheater created from the Red cliffs of Utah and offers an awesome night of entertainement. It's located in South West Utah and is a nice warm atmosphere.

I went to "7 Brides for 7 Brothers" & "Joseph & the amazing technicolor dreamcoat" a few years ago, and the fact that it was outside made it SO NEAT! Real stars for the backdrop. Also not a bad seat in the place. In 7 Bros they used actual animals on stage (horses and such) and flooded the stage with water during the avalanche scean. During "Joseph" they had a time where water divers were doing flips off the cliffs (backdrop of stage) into water below.

As for the music - it's very well done and professional. Extreemly talented performers and symphony. My parents are musicians so I'll ask their opinions and see if I can find any other place that offers a memorable experience.

Check out their site for dates, prices and performances this year.
http://www.tuacahn.org/

While you're in the St. George area you'll want to swing over to Zions National Park - with red cliff formations you'll never see anywhere else. It has the worlds larges arch and is spectacular. Moab is also very intruguing and nearby. Google "Zions National Park" for more info.

A useful book might be "1000 places to see before you die". There's a large section on the U.S. and it's a great "bathroom" book. :)

Greetings Batlo8 and welcome to the RTA Forum!

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My friend and I are looking to fly out to the USA from england in May next year. We want to do a 3 month road trip seeing as much as possible.

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Wow, 3 months! I wish I could take as much time off to go on road trip!;-) You can start planning your trip by looking at our international visitors page.

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We are really interested in historical monuments, buildings etc and definitely want to visit some national parks. We would also like to get a taste of the nighlife and it would be great to attend some carnivals or festivals. Also I am very musical so somewhere that is related to music would be nice to see.

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Since you want a hit some Historical sites and National Parks, I strongly suggest you buy a National Parks Pass (50$). With that pass, you can order a free directory of all National Parks, Historical Sites, National Seashores, etc.

Some historical cities throughout the US :
-Boston, MA : walk the Freedom Trail, visit the Witch Museum in Salem;
-San Antonio, TX : visit The Alamo, other old Spanish missions;
-Historic Triangle, VA : Orientation Walking Tour and Governors Palace in Williamsburg historic district, dig site in Jamestown, Victory Center in Yorktown;
-Charleston, SC : Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston Museum, Bull Island;
-Tombstone and Bisbee, AZ, ...

Here's also a post about different types of attractions in the southern States.

Some examples of music museums :
-EMP, Seattle, WA;
-Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville, TN
-Stax Museum of American Soul, Memphis
-International Bluegrass Museum in Owensburg, KY
-Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH
-American Classical Music Hall of Fame, Cincinnati, OH
-Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, MS
-American Jazz Museum, Kansas City, MO
-Madame Tussaud, Las Vegas, NV
-Walk of Fame, Hollywood, CA
-Rock n' Soul Museum, Memphis, TN
-Hollywood Wax Museum, Hollywood, CA
-UCM Museum, Abita Springs, LA
-Liberace Museum, Las Vegas, NV
-Jerry Lee Lewis Family Museum, Ferriday, LA

Other music-oriented historical sites, monuments and places of interest :
-Jimi Hendrix House, Seattle, WA
-Scott Joplin House, St. Louis, MO
-St. Louis Walk of Fame (Chuck Beryy, Ike & Tina Turner, Terry Clark, Scott Joplin, Miles Davis)
-Actual music at Tonic Club, NYC
-Grand Emporium blues club, Kansas City, MO
-Elvis Presley Graceland Mansion, Memphis, TN
-Small's Jazz Marathon, NYC
-Beach Boys Monument, Hawthorne, CA
-Chuck Berry hangouts, St. Louis, MO
-Everly Brothers Monument, Central City, KY
-Buddy Holly Memorials, IA
-Blueberry Hill Restaurant, St. Louis, MO
-Village Vanguard Jazz Club, NYC

Keep an eye open for music festivals along the way and don't forget your collection of road music.

To find more ideas, browse through this forum by using the Search function at the top of this page.

Gen

Don't forget Branson Missouri.

Also check out the JVC Jazz Festival. This site has dates and details.

www.festivalproductions.net

Good luck and HAVE FUN!

Hi Lois,

I'm trying to do something similar, here is some of the stuff I've found during my planning research:

At 22, you can qualify for many discounts, even more if your enrolled in an education course like university. Check out http://www.studentflights.co.uk/ they provide excellent rates on airfares, car rental (from 21 and up), insurance and more. You may need to get yourself an "ISIC" or "IYTC" card to qualify for certain discounts (but they're only £7 each for a year). I haven't had the opportunity to use these people yet but the prices compared to full fare are less than half price, and even cheaper if you plan on flying home from the same airport you arrived from.

Also, if you're enrolled at university, it may be worth talking to the people at your Student Union for information on student travel.

Regarding purchasing a car, have a look at eBay - even if you don't want to buy from their you can get a good idea on the price you would have to pay for a used car. Of course, use caution when buying expensive items from ebay - especially since you would be an international customer, remember to think how you would either collect the car or get it to the place you're arriving. That said, with common sense and a bit of time, ebay can be a great place to grab a bargain.

As I said, I am planning on a 3 month road trip with some friends. My friends and myself would like to see the main tourist attractions and National Parks, we would also like to see some of the less known places in order to get a feeling for American culture and lifestyle. I've decided I want to start in Seattle and finish in Miami, FL - I've been able to plan what I want to do for both the West and East Coast, but there's this huge chunk in the middle which I know nothing about. Any suggestions as to what I can do here - or in fact throughout my entire road trip would be really valued.

Thanks in advance,

Hamish.

PS: I just had a thought; I've been to America before and, since I'm from England, it was very strange to see a culture so different speaking the same language. Don't get me wrong, I love America, it just got quite confusing - you expect them to be the same as you and they speak the same language but fundamentally America is very different. Anyone else know what I mean?

Hamish,

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you expect them to be the same as you and they speak the same language but fundamentally America is very. Anyone else know what I mean?

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By "America" I assume you mean USA ?? I believe it's not just a language issue, even within the same continent, country, state or province, we have substantial differences from one part to another. That's the beauty of travelling, you get to know other cultures, even the ones you thought you already knew. I am French-Canadian and always lived close to the US border, I just have to go across the border to encounter whole different people but I can also drive a few hours north in my own province (Quebec) to meet new "eccentric" and sweet folks...And both their worlds and languages seem strange and new to me even though they do speak some kind of special French on the North Shore and are from latin background like I am. I used to have a bad opinion of Americans but that was until I truly began to travel by my own, explore new territories and meet all kinds of people. By the way this forum is a great medium to meet such open-minded folks and to make new contacts.

I got to go to work but I'll come back later with some suggestions for your trip!

Cheers!
Gen

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I am planning on a 3 month road trip with some friends. My friends and myself would like to see the main tourist attractions and National Parks, we would also like to see some of the less known places in order to get a feeling for American culture and lifestyle. I've decided I want to start in Seattle and finish in Miami, FL - I've been able to plan what I want to do for both the West and East Coast, but which I know nothing about. Any suggestions as to what I can do here - or in fact throughout my entire road trip would be really valued...there's this huge chunk in the middle

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Yep it is truly a huge piece of land:o)

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main tourist attractions

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Click on these links :
NYC and Niagara Falls;
Las Vegas;
San Francisco to LA via the PCH : 1, 2;
Deep south and South West;
South west;
Pacific North West;
East Coast;
Midwest 1 2

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and National Parks

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Ok, so here's a A to Z list of all National Parks throughout the US. My own personal favourites are : Acadia, ME, White Sands, NM, Arches, UT, Big Bend, TX, Bryce Canyon, UT, Canyon De Chelly, AZ, Cape Cod National Seashore, MA, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, NC, Chimney Rock, NE, Ft. Bowie, AZ, Mammoth Cave, KY, San Antonio Missions, TX, Scotts Bluff, NE, Wind Cave, SD. Many State Parks are also worth a detour like Starved Rock SP, IL, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, UT, Slide Rock SP, AZ, Baxter SP, ME or Valley of Fire, NV just to name a few.

I suggest you buy a National Park Pass. For 50$, it gives you access to all National Parks, Monuments and Sites. Some parks entrance fees (i.e. Grand Canyon) can be up to 20$ so you won't regret that expense that's for sure!

Happy planning!
Gen

Thanks Gen, that's really helpful.

Also, if someone could help, I was wondering how US Highways etc compare (speed and size wise) to our British roads. I don't understand what Expressways, Highways, Interstates and Limited Access roads (which Streets and Trips keeps talking about) are. I've listed the roads we have in the UK to help someone translate.

Motorway - 70mph - 3+ lanes
Dual Carriage-way - 70mph - 2 lanes
Single Carriage-way - 60mph - 1 lane
Built Up Areas - 30mph - 1 lane

Which are the best roads to travel on in my case? Considering, I don't want to be driving forever but sometimes I'll want to be able to easilly explore the place I'm driving through.

I've heard about toll roads in the US, over here we're lucky enough not to have any (except those which are part of bridges or ferry crossings). How much does a toll road cost to use and is it better to avoid them or worth paying?

Thanks in advance,

Hamish.

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I've heard about toll roads in the US, over here we're lucky enough not to have any (except those which are part of bridges or ferry crossings). How much does a toll road cost to use and is it better to avoid them or worth paying?

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Here's a thread about toll roads. Usually, toll roads are indicated by a larger line on maps and identified by a different color. They tend to bear names like "turpike", "thruway" or "parkway". Toll roads are mostly a thing you'll find in the East (except for Oklahoma). Some are good and some are not that great, some are fairly cheap and some pretty expensive, it depends on where you're going.

My favourite toll road is the Everglades Parkway (a.k.a. Alligator Alley) and the Florida Expressway since I-95 is often packed with traffic and by using that route you can zoom from north to south. My least favourite is the New Jersey Turnpike because even when you pay you can't loose the traffic!:o) My favourite toll bridge is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in Virginia. Oh and the Golden Gate is not bad either:o) If you go to NYC, the Brooklyn Bridge is worth a stop.

Gen

Interstates are divided highways with exit and enterance ramps instead of intersections. They have a minimum of 2 lanes in each direction, but in urban areas they frequently have 3, 4, or even more lanes in each direction. Speed limits range from 65-75 mph in rural areas and 55-65 mph in urban areas.

Interstates are the backbone of the U.S. road system and are the fastest way to get from point A to point B.

Some other routes (US and State Highways) are also built to Interstate or Near-Interstate standards - again divided highways with exit ramps instead of intersections.

Any route that is a divided highway that can only be accessed by an enterance and/or exit ramp is a Freeway, whether it is labeled an Interstate or not.

A limited access road is typically a freeway, although it could also possibly be an expressway.

An Expressway is similar to a freeway, they are divided highways with at least 2 lanes in each direction. However, they do contain some intersections with other roads, and occationally include a stop light. Speed limits tend to be around 65 mph.

Highways are pretty much everything else. Generally speaking, they are 2 lane roads with 55 mph speed limits. They tend to be much slower than freeways and expressways because they run through towns and cities with 25-30 mph speed limits and often stop signs.

Toll Roads are a pain, but often are the most practical way to get where you are going quickly. The costs vary widely from state to state, but paying $10-20 to get across a state on a toll road would probably be pretty average.