US help.

[Hisashiburi]

Hi

Planning for a driving trip to California this June for about 2 weeks. Flying into LA and out of SF.

Does this high level schedule make sense? I will have a couple of spare days that I can use for additional places or to extend the stay at one of the locations, so appreciate any suggestions too.

1) Land in the morning and spend 3 nights at LA. 1 day at Disneyland.
2) Drive to flagstaff and stay 2 night. 1 day will be spent at GC, Antelope Canyon, horseshoe bend
3) 2 nights at Las vegas
4) Drive via death valley National Park to reach Yosemite and stay 3 nights
5) drive to sf and stay 3 nights

Thanks in advance

The others have provided good points.

In LA, u can spend a day or so visiting the beach towns like Newport, Laguna, Venice and Huntington beach.
Fun to see n experience california beach culture.
Can be done in a day or so.

There is also another theme park called Disney California Adventures.
Haven't been there so don't know how that is like.

Flagstaff, Grand canyon part seems a bit tight, won't be able to enjoy much at that pace.
It is a long drive too maybe add a day or two there.

Drive from SF to Big sur is really nice.
Monterey, Carmel n Monterey bay aquarium are worth stopping at.
17 mile drive is beautiful but takes a while.
Maybe can spend a night in the area.
If u play golf, can play or visit world famous Pebble beach golf course.

I agree, not much in San Diego other than zoo n the old big haunted hotel.

 

[angtc11]

u not going to universal studios?
LA to Flagstaff is ~7hr drive, same as 7hrs to Grand Canyon. Why dont stay in Grand Canyon can enjoy sun set and sun raise?
making flagstaff a base and want to do GC, Antelope in 1 day that is not very doable. the drive from Flagstaff->Grand Canyon-> Antelope -> Flagstaff is ~7hr total. what is your plans to see Grand Canyon? 10-30mins each stop? with Antelope, you need to book tours to go down. each tour is like 1-2hr and you have to wait for your turn to go down. Its not like you reach there, u pay in 10mins you down. You may have to wait ~1hr or longer depending on season, if tickets sold out then too bad. June is peak season and hot. you may want to book your tour early and see if you can get there like 15-30mins before tour starts.

you may want to map out drive times and give yourself time in the location.

u plan to stay 3 nites in Yosemite national park? that is a good if you love out doors and enjoy hikes.



San Diego not much to do unless U like Sea World and the zoo. I enjoyed Seaworld alot. some ppl loved the zoo.
Outlet these days terrible prices. the shelfs are not full. In the past, less touristy outlet have better clearance deals. if u not looking for clearance deals, selections same same. USA inflation prices going up and still going up.

the drive SF-Big Sur is a must do, great views.

Thanks for the suggestion to stay in GC, i think i will do just that. Will also book the Antelope tours early, wasn't aware that we cannot ' just walk in'.

Yup, we like outdoors and hiking, hence the 3 days. Will likely skip SD and do Big Sur instead.
Agree for the outlets, if there are no sales then not much point.

 

[angtc11]

The others have provided good points.

In LA, u can spend a day or so visiting the beach towns like Newport, Laguna, Venice and Huntington beach.
Fun to see n experience california beach culture.
Can be done in a day or so.

There is also another theme park called Disney California Adventures.
Haven't been there so don't know how that is like.

Flagstaff, Grand canyon part seems a bit tight, won't be able to enjoy much at that pace.
It is a long drive too maybe add a day or two there.

Drive from SF to Big sur is really nice.
Monterey, Carmel n Monterey bay aquarium are worth stopping at.
17 mile drive is beautiful but takes a while.
Maybe can spend a night in the area.
If u play golf, can play or visit world famous Pebble beach golf course.

I agree, not much in San Diego other than zoo n the old big haunted hotel.

Thanks, will prob spend 1 more day in GC and do SF to Big Sur.

Will likely go to Venice beach to look see too, just that i wanted to get the main places settled so that accoms wise i can reserve before it gets fully booked.

 

[patryn33]

Thanks for the suggestion to stay in GC, i think i will do just that. Will also book the Antelope tours early, wasn't aware that we cannot ' just walk in'.

Yup, we like outdoors and hiking, hence the 3 days. Will likely skip SD and do Big Sur instead.
Agree for the outlets, if there are no sales then not much point.

Grand Canyon can do hikes too, never hike down to the river even I have been there like 4-5 times
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/day-hiking.htm#CP_JUMP_1910241
Vegas is a nice place to see hotels and gamble. These days with low number of tourists most buffet close and prices up.

if u enjoy outdoors go Sedona, some of the best hike around.
https://livingtinywithawolf.com/best-hiking-trails-in-sedona/
Around SF, u may want to consider one of these
https://www.visitcalifornia.com/uk/feature/places-see-big-trees
depending on ppl some go to Sonoma or Napa for wine tasting or bring back a few good bottles. Or just stop by kl wines to buy some

 

[angtc11]

Grand Canyon can do hikes too, never hike down to the river even I have been there like 4-5 times
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/day-hiking.htm#CP_JUMP_1910241
Vegas is a nice place to see hotels and gamble. These days with low number of tourists most buffet close and prices up.

if u enjoy outdoors go Sedona, some of the best hike around.
https://livingtinywithawolf.com/best-hiking-trails-in-sedona/
Around SF, u may want to consider one of these
https://www.visitcalifornia.com/uk/feature/places-see-big-trees
depending on ppl some go to Sonoma or Napa for wine tasting or bring back a few good bottles. Or just stop by kl wines to buy some

Thanks for the suggestions, I decided to go to Monument Valley after the Antelope Canyon tour.
Won't be going down to the river at GC too, flirted with the idea but apparently its not advised to go down and back up within a day.

Was already planning on the Mariposa Grove, but will probably try to take in the other walks along the PCH drive.

 

[patryn33]

Page to Monument Valley like 9hr drive.
If you heading out west you making the 9hr drive back.
It’s a lot of time on the road just to see Monument Valley. I hope you have plans to do things there.

 

[angtc11]

Page to Monument Valley like 9hr drive.
If you heading out west you making the 9hr drive back.
It’s a lot of time on the road just to see Monument Valley. I hope you have plans to do things there.

It's a bit more than 2 hours from Page to monument Valley right? Was planning to go for the Antelope tour at 1115, catch lunch then go over.

 

[patryn33]

It's a bit more than 2 hours from Page to monument Valley right? Was planning to go for the Antelope tour at 1115, catch lunch then go over.

My bad, yes 2 hours.

1115 do canyon tour. 90mins late lunch at page then head over.
1pm go eat, 2pm leaving. 4pm get there. Drive around ok, if your like hike need to book again.
U finding some place there to stay overnight?

 

[angtc11]

My bad, yes 2 hours.

1115 do canyon tour. 90mins late lunch at page then head over.
1pm go eat, 2pm leaving. 4pm get there. Drive around ok, if your like hike need to book again.
U finding some place there to stay overnight?

I just realized the 1115 is Navajo time, which is 1 hour ahead of Arizona time, so my lunch is noon Arizona time.
Not staying at Monument Valley, will be driving back to GC area which takes almost 4 hours, so estimate it will be 10-ish to reach back.

 

[patryn33]

I just realized the 1115 is Navajo time, which is 1 hour ahead of Arizona time, so my lunch is noon Arizona time.
Not staying at Monument Valley, will be driving back to GC area which takes almost 4 hours, so estimate it will be 10-ish to reach back.

just drive safe, almost no street lights. Be carefully of wild animals

 

[angtc11]

just drive safe, almost no street lights. Be carefully of wild animals

Yup, thanks for the warning. Will be looking out how to drive safely at night. Have some experience in NZ before

 

[patryn33]

Yup, thanks for the warning. Will be looking out how to drive safely at night. Have some experience in NZ before

Just be alert, don’t speed. Speed limit no is like 110km or 68miles, AZ is 75miles. Sure ppl do over, AZ can do like 10miles over.

just know cellular network in ulu not good. Vehicle breakdown will ruin holiday plans.

just read the impt sections. Speeding In school zone hours or over taking stop school bus is big no no
https://apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdf

 

[destiny88]

hi just want check, must singaporean apply ESTA to fly to US now?

i research now like only need Vac cert and pre depart PCR test . not sure, planning to go in june

 

[beanstalk6]

Nobody said that ESTA is no longer required.

 

[ysyj48]

Hi, 1st time going to US, not sure if my itinerary is doable. appreciate all suggestions!

day 1: Arrive in NY, rent car and drive to Niagara Falls (US side)
day 2: niagara falls (canada side)
day 3: leave niagara falls early in the morning, drive to woodbury premium outlet. shop til 9pm. return car and chk in hotel (near times sq)

day 4: whole day in Brooklyn. Walk across manhattan bridge. go to DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn heights promenade. explore Williamsburg area. see sunset from Brooklyn bridge. Dinner at Peter Luger. what else to do/see? i hv abt 3-4 hrs before dinner

day 5: Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village. High Line. Chelsea mkt. walk ard Soho area

day 6: AM: central park. PM: MET, window shppg at Fifth Ave.

day 7:
8.30am: Statue of liberty and Ellis Island immigration museum.
11am: go to Wall Street. see Federal Hall, Trinity Church, wall st Bull
Lunch
PM: 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Oculus. One world trade center (unlikely to go up to observation deck).
City Hall.

day 8:
AM: Rockefeller Center. may go up to Observatory. St Patrick Cathedral. 34th Street shopping. Lunch
PM: Grand Central terminal , Summit one vanderbilt. (may go up, not sure yet), Chrysler bldg, NY Public Library, Bryant park, Empire State Building (may not go up)
Evening/night : Times Square. Dinner in hells kitchen.

day 9: take Amtrak to Washington DC. Lunch. go to 2 museums? (National Archives Museum, Hirshhorn museum)

day 10:
AM: Breakfast at Eastern Market. Library of congress. Supreme Court. Capitol Building. Peace monument
Lunch: union sq food trucks
PM: Washington monument , United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. WW2 memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial. Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Tidal Basin. Korean war memorial. Lincoln memorial

day 11:
AM: White House. see Black lives matter mural. Lunch.
PM: 3 museums at National Mall. (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. National Museum of American History. Museum of African American History)

day 12: georgetown. what to do here? only know must eat georgetown cupcake lol

day 13: AM: fly to Orlando. PM: premium outlet shopping

day 14: Universal studios. buy park hopper ticket

day 15, 16, 17: Disneyland. 1 park per day

day 18: Shopping in orlando. where is good?

day 19: rent car, Drive to Miami South Beach. what shd i stop to see along the way?

day 20: 6am: drive to key west. spend the day at night. Stay at Homestead (not key west) at night.

day 21: AM: see/do some last min stuff around South Beach. PM: Drive back to Orlando to return car. Night: fly to NYC

day 22: AM: fly bk to SG

other qns:
1. how long shd i cater for MET?
2. what can i do at night in NYC besides Broadway musicals?
3. what to do at night after dinner in DC?
4. what can i do in Miami? i can swim and sun tan at South Beach all day but my travel buddy hates the sun.

 

[g_t2006]

Hi, 1st time going to US, not sure if my itinerary is doable. appreciate all suggestions!

day 1: Arrive in NY, rent car and drive to Niagara Falls (US side)
day 2: niagara falls (canada side)
day 3: leave niagara falls early in the morning, drive to woodbury premium outlet. shop til 9pm. return car and chk in hotel (near times sq)

day 4: whole day in Brooklyn. Walk across manhattan bridge. go to DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn heights promenade. explore Williamsburg area. see sunset from Brooklyn bridge. Dinner at Peter Luger. what else to do/see? i hv abt 3-4 hrs before dinner

day 5: Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village. High Line. Chelsea mkt. walk ard Soho area

day 6: AM: central park. PM: MET, window shppg at Fifth Ave.

day 7:
8.30am: Statue of liberty and Ellis Island immigration museum.
11am: go to Wall Street. see Federal Hall, Trinity Church, wall st Bull
Lunch
PM: 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Oculus. One world trade center (unlikely to go up to observation deck).
City Hall.

day 8:
AM: Rockefeller Center. may go up to Observatory. St Patrick Cathedral. 34th Street shopping. Lunch
PM: Grand Central terminal , Summit one vanderbilt. (may go up, not sure yet), Chrysler bldg, NY Public Library, Bryant park, Empire State Building (may not go up)
Evening/night : Times Square. Dinner in hells kitchen.

day 9: take Amtrak to Washington DC. Lunch. go to 2 museums? (National Archives Museum, Hirshhorn museum)

day 10:
AM: Breakfast at Eastern Market. Library of congress. Supreme Court. Capitol Building. Peace monument
Lunch: union sq food trucks
PM: Washington monument , United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. WW2 memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial. Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Tidal Basin. Korean war memorial. Lincoln memorial

day 11:
AM: White House. see Black lives matter mural. Lunch.
PM: 3 museums at National Mall. (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. National Museum of American History. Museum of African American History)

day 12: georgetown. what to do here? only know must eat georgetown cupcake lol

day 13: AM: fly to Orlando. PM: premium outlet shopping

day 14: Universal studios. buy park hopper ticket

day 15, 16, 17: Disneyland. 1 park per day

day 18: Shopping in orlando. where is good?

day 19: rent car, Drive to Miami South Beach. what shd i stop to see along the way?

day 20: 6am: drive to key west. spend the day at night. Stay at Homestead (not key west) at night.

day 21: AM: see/do some last min stuff around South Beach. PM: Drive back to Orlando to return car. Night: fly to NYC

day 22: AM: fly bk to SG

other qns:
1. how long shd i cater for MET?
2. what can i do at night in NYC besides Broadway musicals?
3. what to do at night after dinner in DC?
4. what can i do in Miami? i can swim and sun tan at South Beach all day but my travel buddy hates the sun.

Driving 6 to 7 hours immediately after such a long flight? There's nothing much to do in NY side of the Niagara Falls.

When my friend drove us to DC after dinner, we don't even dare to get out of the car. There isn't really anything to do at night in DC.

There was/is a free walking tour that covers the Grand Central.

 

[Hisashiburi]

1. Depending on your flight arrival time, do u really want to drive 7 hrs to Niagara Falls on the first day?
As mentioned, most of the attractions like the boat ride and the waterfall walk, i think are on the Canadian side.

3. Can you return the car late at night?
Some places let u drop off the keys but some places dont.
Be sure to check.

7. statue of liberty boat ride is quite a waste of time, imo.
Dont know about now, but it was a long queue n nothing much to see when u are there.
Better to just view it from a distance.

10. Day 10 seems really busy?

11. Same as day 10. Seems to have too many places.

18. Maybe the outlet shopping in Orlando? Seems to have a few.

19. If u like beaches, can check out Cocoa Beach and maybe West Palm Beach.

21. U can consider dropping off car at Miami airport and flying from Miami to JFK.
Some car rental companies allow that but might have to pay more.

Nightlife in NYC.
- Comedy clubs
- Bars and dance clubs
- Movies
- Just rest in hotel room and watch tv/sleep
- Dinners

Nightime in USA is when most crime occurs, def not as safe as in sg.
Especially true when alcohol is involved and during summer when more people stay out late.
Even tourist areas are not that safe.
Read up on which parts of the town/city are especially unsafe.
Pls be aware.
im paranoid but i dont go out after dark in USA.
Served me well.

Can try Florida seafood like Stone Crab.

Take pics of entire rental car before and after return.
Many car rental scams trying to ding u for damage after the car has been returned.

Can also try consignment shop and thrift shop shopping in Nyc.
Can get good deals on slightly/barely used high end clothing n accessories esp in NYC.
Flea markets in the USA are also interesting, a bit like pasar malam.

Electronic stuff u can get really good deals especially on high end laptops and such.
Can buy online and deliver to hotel.
Can have huge savings when compared to sg.

Hi, 1st time going to US, not sure if my itinerary is doable. appreciate all suggestions!

day 1: Arrive in NY, rent car and drive to Niagara Falls (US side)
day 2: niagara falls (canada side)
day 3: leave niagara falls early in the morning, drive to woodbury premium outlet. shop til 9pm. return car and chk in hotel (near times sq)

day 4: whole day in Brooklyn. Walk across manhattan bridge. go to DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn heights promenade. explore Williamsburg area. see sunset from Brooklyn bridge. Dinner at Peter Luger. what else to do/see? i hv abt 3-4 hrs before dinner

day 5: Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village. High Line. Chelsea mkt. walk ard Soho area

day 6: AM: central park. PM: MET, window shppg at Fifth Ave.

day 7:
8.30am: Statue of liberty and Ellis Island immigration museum.
11am: go to Wall Street. see Federal Hall, Trinity Church, wall st Bull
Lunch
PM: 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Oculus. One world trade center (unlikely to go up to observation deck).
City Hall.

day 8:
AM: Rockefeller Center. may go up to Observatory. St Patrick Cathedral. 34th Street shopping. Lunch
PM: Grand Central terminal , Summit one vanderbilt. (may go up, not sure yet), Chrysler bldg, NY Public Library, Bryant park, Empire State Building (may not go up)
Evening/night : Times Square. Dinner in hells kitchen.

day 9: take Amtrak to Washington DC. Lunch. go to 2 museums? (National Archives Museum, Hirshhorn museum)

day 10:
AM: Breakfast at Eastern Market. Library of congress. Supreme Court. Capitol Building. Peace monument
Lunch: union sq food trucks
PM: Washington monument , United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. WW2 memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial. Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Tidal Basin. Korean war memorial. Lincoln memorial

day 11:
AM: White House. see Black lives matter mural. Lunch.
PM: 3 museums at National Mall. (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. National Museum of American History. Museum of African American History)

day 12: georgetown. what to do here? only know must eat georgetown cupcake lol

day 13: AM: fly to Orlando. PM: premium outlet shopping

day 14: Universal studios. buy park hopper ticket

day 15, 16, 17: Disneyland. 1 park per day

day 18: Shopping in orlando. where is good?

day 19: rent car, Drive to Miami South Beach. what shd i stop to see along the way?

day 20: 6am: drive to key west. spend the day at night. Stay at Homestead (not key west) at night.

day 21: AM: see/do some last min stuff around South Beach. PM: Drive back to Orlando to return car. Night: fly to NYC

day 22: AM: fly bk to SG

other qns:
1. how long shd i cater for MET?
2. what can i do at night in NYC besides Broadway musicals?
3. what to do at night after dinner in DC?
4. what can i do in Miami? i can swim and sun tan at South Beach all day but my travel buddy hates the sun.

 

[ysyj48]

thx for the suggestions! oh yes i totally forgot about thrift shopping and consignment. will do some research.

i will be reaching NY at 6am, thats why we decided to rent a car at the airport where it's convenient, then drive to niagara. we will return the car at the airport too then go to the times sq hotel. i was also abit concerned abt driving 7 h immediately after a long flight but think the adrenaline and excitement will keep us awake thru out the drive hahaha. and also, we will force ourself to sleep on the plane hahaha

day 10 n 11: good idea, will space out the stuff since day 12 seems empty lol

day 21. we wanted to return the car at Miami airport and flying from Miami to NYC but Alamo dun let us return at miami airport or key west airport. so bo bian hv to make the long drive bk to orlando. my friend says Alamo is the only gd coy? he says even hertz, avis are lousy. any thoughts?

 

[Hisashiburi]

thx for the suggestions! oh yes i totally forgot about thrift shopping and consignment. will do some research.

i will be reaching NY at 6am, thats why we decided to rent a car at the airport where it's convenient, then drive to niagara. we will return the car at the airport too then go to the times sq hotel. i was also abit concerned abt driving 7 h immediately after a long flight but think the adrenaline and excitement will keep us awake thru out the drive hahaha. and also, we will force ourself to sleep on the plane hahaha

day 10 n 11: good idea, will space out the stuff since day 12 seems empty lol

day 21. we wanted to return the car at Miami airport and flying from Miami to NYC but Alamo dun let us return at miami airport or key west airport. so bo bian hv to make the long drive bk to orlando. my friend says Alamo is the only gd coy? he says even hertz, avis are lousy. any thoughts?

Hertz n Avis are ok.
Used them before without issues.
Car rental companies are mostly the same.
Check their rates to see which is best.
Sometimes can earn hotel or airline points with them too.

Thrift n consignment shops in NYC n their flea markets are quite good because have many people selling slightly or not used nice stuff there

There are also rest stops along the highways in usa.
If tired, can pull over n rest a bit.

 

[pricklepantz]

which pcr test clinic that can do pcr test 24hr before without paying for express?