My Road Trip - Open to any comments suggestions

[shrek_2226]

Hi There,
I am from Sydney Australia and I'm planning to travel to Los Angeles in March 2006 and drive to New York. I'm allowing about 3 weeks to travel from L.A to N.Y and another week to stay in N.Y to do touristy type activities.

I have spent around 5 hours planning the route in which I'd like to take and I am open to any suggestions or comments people might have as to exactly where to go and stay etc. Please let me know if I am not allowing enough time to travel between destinations etc.

Here it is:

4th – 6th March: Days 1 & 2 – Los Angeles
7th – 8th March: Days 3 & 4 – Las Vegas
9th March: Day 5 – Grand Canyon
10th March: Day 6 – Travelling between Grand Canyon & Albuquerque
11th March: Day 7 – Albuquerque
12th March: Day 8 – Travelling between Albuquerque and Amarillo
13th March: Day 9 – Amarillo
14th March: Day 10 – Travelling between Amarillo and Oklahoma
15th March: Day 11 – Oklahoma City
16th March: Day 12 – Tulsa
17th March: Day 13 – Springfield
18th March: Day 14 – St. Louis
19th March: Day 15 – Normal
20th – 21st March: Day 16&17 – Chicago
22nd March: Day 18 – Between Chicago and Detroit
23rd March: Day 19 – Detroit
24th Day 20 – Cleveland
25th Day 21 – Buffalo (Niagra Falls)
26th Day 22 – Syracuse
27th Day 23 – Albany
28th Day 24 – 30 – New York

Details are fairly basic at the moment. I hope to stop at Motor Inns or Budget Hotels on the way.

What do you guys think?

[Quebec Gen]

4th – 6th March: Days 1 & 2 – Los Angeles

Walk of Fame, Hollywood
Long Beach
If you enjoy people-watching : Venice Beach and West Hollywood
If you enjoy window shopping : Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills and Melrose Ave, West Hollywood
Nightlife : definitely Sunset Strip, West Hollywood
Bookstore : Book Soup in West Hollywood
Cheap lodging right off the ocean: Beach Inn Motel in Long Beach ~ 60$

7th – 8th March: Days 3 & 4 – Las Vegas

After you've visited the Strip take a walk in the old Downtown area (Fremont Street, Hollywood Blvd)

9th March: Day 5 – Grand Canyon

North or South rim? If you're going to the North Rim, you should stop by Zion NP and Bryce Canyon.

10th March: Day 6 – Travelling between Grand Canyon & Albuquerque

From Grand Canyon you could go to the Vermillion Cliffs, take back roads to Antelope & Cork Screw Canyons near Page then to Kayenta and drive through the majestic Monument Valley on route 163. Canyon De Chelly (pronounce "Dee Chey") is also worth a stop. It would probably take you a while to visit all of the above but they're all worth it!

More info on :
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
Monument Valley
Canyon De Chelly National Monument

11th March: Day 7 – Albuquerque

Stroll down Central Avenue for old route 66 memorablia.

For cheap accomodation, go to Sandia Mountain Hostel in Cedar Crest and ask for a private cabin (~ 32$).

The road to Mesita is very scenic if you're not in a hurry.

12th March: Day 8 – Travelling between Albuquerque and Amarillo
13th March: Day 9 – Amarillo

Ever heard of the Big Texan Steak Ranch, home of the free 72 oz steak? (Yuck! I know!:)

18th March: Day 14 – St. Louis

The Gateway Arch and its underground museum are must-sees. Free parking at the Old Cathedral.

19th March: Day 15 – Normal

I've been to Normal once, I stayed at the Motel 6 (~ 31$). I thought their staff was particularly friendly.

20th – 21st March: Day 16&17 – Chicago

Visit The Loop. The Art Institute of Chicago have a limited but interesting collection of French Impressionnists paintings.

22nd March: Day 18 – Between Chicago and Detroit
23rd March: Day 19 – Detroit

Detroit is a pretty rough city. Be careful about where you're going and if possible do your activities during the daytime.

The DIA is a very neat museum. The jewel of their collections is certainly the impressive 4 walls mural by Diego Riviera representing the automotive industry;

26th Day 22 – Syracuse

While you're there, visit the Thousand Islands region along the St. Lawrence River.

27th Day 23 – Albany

If you enjoy skiing, check out the Adirondacks Mountains up north (Mt White Face).

Montreal is only 3,5 hours north of Albany. It is a very fun city, especially if you enjoy nightlife and good food.

Hope this will help. I didn't really have time to check your time frame though, maybe someone else will give you feedback on this.

Happy planning!
Gen

[packman]

When you are in Chicago, make sure to stop by Gino's East for some amazing pizza, its only like a 10-15 minute walk from the Magnificent Mile.