US help.

[cormet]

Drive if you can.

We're considering driving but not sure if it's safe if we're unfamiliar with the roads? Are there dangerous/winding roads along the way?

I read that the drive would be about 4-5h so should we just head out early in the morning and get back to vegas in the evening, or would it be better to stay one night at the canyon?

 

[genie47]

We're considering driving but not sure if it's safe if we're unfamiliar with the roads? Are there dangerous/winding roads along the way?

I read that the drive would be about 4-5h so should we just head out early in the morning and get back to vegas in the evening, or would it be better to stay one night at the canyon?

Stay one night in the Canyon. No there are no winding roads. My route.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...36.416862,-113.26355&spn=3.686369,7.13562&z=8

Mine is geared to visit the north rim but it only opens from late May to Jun due to snow. If you are going earlier, drive towards Tusayan which is the south rim. Many accommodations but during winter, quite a bargain but Apr onwards will see prices soar.

As you can see, the drive south uses this route from Kingman to Seligman. The old Route 66. Seligman itself has Delgadillo's Sno Cap. The inspiration to Pixar's Cars. The I40 you see on the map made the towns of Route 66 almost forgotten just like in Cars. Worth a visit especially the Roadkill Cafe. Then further on is the town of Williams. Lots of old west buildings and a railroad yard that is quite forgotten.

Flagstaff, AZ is the home of the Lowell Observatory. They open at night as well! Pay just before sundown to see the last film show about its history and then as night falls, they let you look through the telescope to see whatever planet that is on the menu that day.

 

[cormet]

Stay one night in the Canyon. No there are no winding roads. My route.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...36.416862,-113.26355&spn=3.686369,7.13562&z=8

Mine is geared to visit the north rim but it only opens from late May to Jun due to snow. If you are going earlier, drive towards Tusayan which is the south rim. Many accommodations but during winter, quite a bargain but Apr onwards will see prices soar.

As you can see, the drive south uses this route from Kingman to Seligman. The old Route 66. Seligman itself has Delgadillo's Sno Cap. The inspiration to Pixar's Cars. The I40 you see on the map made the towns of Route 66 almost forgotten just like in Cars. Worth a visit especially the Roadkill Cafe. Then further on is the town of Williams. Lots of old west buildings and a railroad yard that is quite forgotten.

Flagstaff, AZ is the home of the Lowell Observatory. They open at night as well! Pay just before sundown to see the last film show about its history and then as night falls, they let you look through the telescope to see whatever planet that is on the menu that day.

Wow! This is very very helpful.. I'll be going in Jun. If I'm intending to go to Hoover Dam along the way, I should take the route to the South Rim right? What would be a good time to leave LV to avoid any potential jams?

 

[castaway]

as for the broadway tickets, should i buy them there when i reach ny or get them online now?

thanks man!

For Broadway tickets, don't buy online, there is a ticket office in Time Square selling 50% off and it is always long queue.

But 50% off is still quite expensive to backpacker so I tried to go to the theatre where you want to watch the show, they will have limited budget "standing" tickets (around 10-20 tickets/show, depends) cost you from 20-30 US$. It's cheapest way. I watched almost everynight and really loved it

 

[castaway]

hello

eh. there is actually a shuttle bus betwn the two hostel (usa hotel SF and hollywood) so we will be taking that. i have slept in other hostels before, ie in taiwan and ya. the wall over there is rather thin so im prepared for that. most imptly is that once i slp, i cut sounds off.haha.

Yes, I remember there is bus between SF and LA when I stayed in a hostel in SF. The Hostel is very central, quite clean actually and good breakfast included.

My hostel in LA is quite central too but the shower is very small.

In Las Vegas, the budget hotel (single room) is very cheap as hostel in other city so I was quite shocked

My hostel in DC is one of best, central, walking distance to Megabus station, very clean and good breakfast as well.

My hostel in New Year is quite central too, walking distance to Metro and TimeSquare and safe, yes but the room is quite small.

The hostel I stayed in Niagara Falls is quite empty, only few guests but quite OK to me, the only thing I don't like is its curfew.

My hostel in Boston is very nice and clean as well.

The worst hostel I experienced in US is in Philly, it is very big, clean but only good if you drive. If not, it is terrible, curfew and out of town, and very long walking distance from bus-stop to the hostel. The owner was a young guy but so ****ed up, he didn't let me check in at 3 pm but waited until 4 pm (WTF) while there was another Angmo could check in ealier the day before (I discovered after sharing room with him) ... so waste alot of time for nothing. But if you drive, you will like the environment around the hostel.

I don't remember all hostel name now but if you need such information, I can dig all again.

 

[genie47]

Wow! This is very very helpful.. I'll be going in Jun. If I'm intending to go to Hoover Dam along the way, I should take the route to the South Rim right? What would be a good time to leave LV to avoid any potential jams?

No jams except if it is Memorial Day weekend or Thanksgiving. Really. These are the days you want to avoid driving in the US.

 

[cormet]

btw just wondering, if i am going to drive for more than a week, is it more economical to buy a gps in usa instead of renting it from the car rental company?

today's digital life shows marbella gps with maps of more than 50 countries included! the cheapest model is $130+

 

[fone]

btw just wondering, if i am going to drive for more than a week, is it more economical to buy a gps in usa instead of renting it from the car rental company?

today's digital life shows marbella gps with maps of more than 50 countries included! the cheapest model is $130+

Eh, depends on the quality and how often you use it. Rental companies rent for like $10 per day, so anything more than a week will costs about $100. Buying one is definitely just abit more. But I've bought one Garmin (mid to high range model) one and didn't use it until there's a need (friends come, or I really got lost). When I attempt to use it when I needed it, it wouldn't turn on. So if you are going to pay $50 or so more to own the GPS and not going to use it after that, you better hope it doesn't die like mine.

 

[klanse]

what i do is buy it and then return after the trip.. i think there is 15% restocking fees. But most stores are pretty strict on GPS return.

 

[cormet]

Ohh thinking of just buying the cheapest Marbella one at $138 with apparently includes the map of USA, then use it in sg when i come back

I think I will check out the diff brands at the IT show..

 

[Erwinlow]

Narrowed down my search for hotels on the strip to MGM(100usd), Monte Carlo(60usd), Luxor(50usd) and Mandalay Bay(120-130).

Still cant decide on which hotels to stay @ the strip... Anyone have any recommendations specifically?

 

[fone]

Narrowed down my search for hotels on the strip to MGM(100usd), Monte Carlo(60usd), Luxor(50usd) and Mandalay Bay(120-130).

Still cant decide on which hotels to stay @ the strip... Anyone have any recommendations specifically?

Duno then cheapest lor. Also go google what shows you want to watch, then which hotel more convenient for that (don't have to take other transport there, if take cab to and fro many times, cab fare might top up difference in prices liao). Chart out where you want to go, then decide which hotel most convenient lor (ie walk).

 

[cormet]

Narrowed down my search for hotels on the strip to MGM(100usd), Monte Carlo(60usd), Luxor(50usd) and Mandalay Bay(120-130).

Still cant decide on which hotels to stay @ the strip... Anyone have any recommendations specifically?

What about Bill's Gambling Hall? Very cheap too..

http://www.billslasvegas.com/

 

[Erwinlow]

Guess Luxor and Mandalay Bay will be out, not very convenient.

Either MGM(110usd), Monte Carlo(62usd before 25% off) or Flamingo(50usd). Hmmmmm.

About 65usd/night for Bills? More exp than Monte Carlo... Hmm..

 

[cormet]

Guess Luxor and Mandalay Bay will be out, not very convenient.

Either MGM(110usd), Monte Carlo(62usd before 25% off) or Flamingo(50usd). Hmmmmm.

About 65usd/night for Bills? More exp than Monte Carlo... Hmm..

Ohh I'll be there in June so wont' be able to enjoy the 25% off I saw MGM Grand on expedia 65usd per night?

 

[Erwinlow]

Ohh I'll be there in June so wont' be able to enjoy the 25% off I saw MGM Grand on expedia 65usd per night?

Go signup as their member or whatever its called, then they'll email you the 25% promo...hope it works lol.

A friend highly recommends Luxor but its kinda out of the way. Zzz. Feel like changing hotels every night hahahahah.

Either MGM/Monte Carlo, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood or even Luxor for me now. Can't decide at all!

Ooh. Will check that out later. Thanks!

 

[cormet]

Go signup as their member or whatever its called, then they'll email you the 25% promo...hope it works lol.

A friend highly recommends Luxor but its kinda out of the way. Zzz. Feel like changing hotels every night hahahahah.

Either MGM/Monte Carlo, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood or even Luxor for me now. Can't decide at all!

Ooh. Will check that out later. Thanks!

Haha i tried! The promo ends 31 May Maybe there will be a new promo after that date but I'll be in US by then

When will you be in vegas?

 

[Erwinlow]

Haha i tried! The promo ends 31 May Maybe there will be a new promo after that date but I'll be in US by then

When will you be in vegas?

Hahah. Hope so too!

Going San Francisco first. Then Vegas, and lastly Los Angeles.

28th mar - 1 apr

 

[cormet]

Hahah. Hope so too!

Going San Francisco first. Then Vegas, and lastly Los Angeles.

28th mar - 1 apr

OHHH then you'll get to enjoy quite alot of discounts right? Saw quite a few discounts ending 30apr.. Will you be driving around from city to city or flying?

 

[Erwinlow]

OHHH then you'll get to enjoy quite alot of discounts right? Saw quite a few discounts ending 30apr.. Will you be driving around from city to city or flying?

Flying from SF - Vegas. 80usd. Then driving from Vegas - LA.

The buffets of buffets for harrahs/rio/planet hollywood etc damn enticing