US help.

[deadbench]

any help for the above?

 

[genie47]

Overview - Sidecar

I chanced upon this app which allow people to pick you up from Point A to Point B in some cities. Much like a private taxi service, but there's no fares and you decide how much you want to pay/donate to the user(via ur credit card). Drivers are vetted by the site so safety shouldnt be a problem.

I chatted with the CSO and they confirmed tourists are welcome to use it and intl credit card are accepted.

At present, its available in San Francisco , Los Angeles , Seattle, Chicago, Boston and Washington, D.C. Might be great for anyone intending to save on taxi fares.

Looks like a budget version of Uber.

 

[Hisashiburi]

17 days is a long time, just for nyc and niagara falls.
Where else would u like to go, only the east coast or all of the usa?

U can tell us what u like to do and we can help.

There are short plane flights from nyc to the falls.
I would suggest instead, flying to Toronto and then renting a car to go to niagara falls, about an hours drive or take a day tour from the hotel.
It is prettier from the canadian side anyway.
Then u can tour toronto, montreal and/or quebec city.

hi planning for a trip above.
will be landing in jfk airport, piority to cover nyc and niagra falls...
any recommedations? would try not to drive since i cant keep myself awake for more than 1 hr on the road.
also read that there r many museums.. not really into museums unless its really a must-vist place
thanks in advance

 

[deadbench]

17 days is a long time, just for nyc and niagara falls.
Where else would u like to go, only the east coast or all of the usa?

U can tell us what u like to do and we can help.

There are short plane flights from nyc to the falls.
I would suggest instead, flying to Toronto and then renting a car to go to niagara falls, about an hours drive or take a day tour from the hotel.
It is prettier from the canadian side anyway.
Then u can tour toronto, montreal and/or quebec city.

Hi thanks for the reply.
Planning to do nyc, niagra, las vegas, grand canyon, san francisco (optional) .. will be traveling to buffalo for niagra falls to save some $$ compared to going toronto (not sure if its worth the savings? )
Now also thinking of adding in iceland..

 

[Telur17]

Hi thanks for the reply.
Planning to do nyc, niagra, las vegas, grand canyon, san francisco (optional) .. will be traveling to buffalo for niagra falls to save some $$ compared to going toronto (not sure if its worth the savings? )
Now also thinking of adding in iceland..

You have 17 days n you want to go east coast and west coast of US + another country? You will be spending a lot of time n $ travelling. suggest you read up more on the the various cities, come up with a tentative itinerary then come back here for suggestions/ideas. you are likely to get more responses tat way. Hisashiburi's suggestion of exploring parts of toronto and montreal make more sense to me than adding in Iceland.

 

[deadbench]

ya agree its rather strange for me to do west and east coast.. 17days may be a little too long for 1 coast..yet not enuff for both coasts.
shortlisted nyc , san francisco and las vegas even though my listed included LA, boston,washington, philadephia (strike them out coz didnt really have good feedback abt these cities, so might as well spend more time on other cities and give the others a miss)
also im not a driver person and cant even concentrate driving for more than 1hr..even in singapore so i might as well do less harm to others.
added in iceland coz im thinking i still might have alot of time on hand.
or should i just do nyc, sanfran and lasvegas?
also the reason why i didnt wanna do a specific east/west coast because not all the cities interest me.. so might as well not waste time

 

[deadbench]

hi after discussing with my partner
my plans are as below..
17days in usa
-nyc
-toronto (niagra falls) etc
-las vegas (grand canyon)

short and sweet?

 

[Telur17]

ya agree its rather strange for me to do west and east coast.. 17days may be a little too long for 1 coast..yet not enuff for both coasts.
shortlisted nyc , san francisco and las vegas even though my listed included LA, boston,washington, philadephia (strike them out coz didnt really have good feedback abt these cities, so might as well spend more time on other cities and give the others a miss)
also im not a driver person and cant even concentrate driving for more than 1hr..even in singapore so i might as well do less harm to others.
added in iceland coz im thinking i still might have alot of time on hand.
or should i just do nyc, sanfran and lasvegas?
also the reason why i didnt wanna do a specific east/west coast because not all the cities interest me.. so might as well not waste time

I think v hard to advice cos we donno what you are interested in. are you into nature/culture/shopping/history/etc? what season are you coming in? there is no need to drive if you are not comfortable with it. Buses to Philadelphia, washington are cheap and often. If got more $, can take plane. You need to do your sums and decide what you want bah.

 

[Telur17]

hi after discussing with my partner
my plans are as below..
17days in usa
-nyc
-toronto (niagra falls) etc
-las vegas (grand canyon)

short and sweet?

you prob want to decide how many days you want to spend at each location. if you plan to take internal flight, need to search for flights. N oso what you want to do at each location. afaik, no one here is a professional travel planner so we cannot plan the itinerary for you. even if we free enough to do so, oso donno wad you n your partner like.

 

[xtwis7]

hi after discussing with my partner
my plans are as below..
17days in usa
-nyc
-toronto (niagra falls) etc
-las vegas (grand canyon)

short and sweet?

I think more than enough. In fact, I think there's so much time you can go other cities. You can give NYC 1 week to even 10 days but the latter might be rushed. Toronto is basically nothing much except the falls so you can even go there and come back in a day, spend the night if you want to. The remaining 1 week or so can be spent in LV. 1 night in canyon is okay if you arrive early.

LV if you're a foodie or gambler then it's worth your stay, otherwise your stay can be quite boring since you're going to get most of your shopping done in Woodbury.

 

[Telur17]

I think more than enough. In fact, I think there's so much time you can go other cities. You can give NYC 1 week to even 10 days but the latter might be rushed. Toronto is basically nothing much except the falls so you can even go there and come back in a day, spend the night if you want to. The remaining 1 week or so can be spent in LV. 1 night in canyon is okay if you arrive early.

LV if you're a foodie or gambler then it's worth your stay, otherwise your stay can be quite boring since you're going to get most of your shopping done in Woodbury.

I oso find Toronto boring but my friends in Toronto say its v nice in summer. Not been there in summer so perhaps there is more that we haven't experienced. I heard Montreal is v nice.

 

[patryn33]

Toronto is boring, Montreal and old Quebec City are great!!!

It's nuts to spend 17 days in east and west coast. Amazing race!!! Might as well stay at home watch travel channel. Lol

LV great place to catch shows or those neat gentlemen club

 

[BiG_FisH]

heading to san francisco next mth, will be residing near Moscone Center.

can anyone give me recommendations on must-see/must-buy?

I'll be going for the below attractions:

• Golden Gate Bridge
• Alcatraz
• Fisherman's Wharf

 

[Shiny Things]

heading to san francisco next mth, will be residing near Moscone Center.

can anyone give me recommendations on must-see/must-buy?

I'll be going for the below attractions:

• Golden Gate Bridge
• Alcatraz
• Fisherman's Wharf

Hey, that's my turf! I live in SF and love it; you're going to have a blast.

So you've listed the three obvious tourist attractions in San Francisco (don't call it Frisco), but there's a LOT more to the city than that.

First tip: Fisherman's Wharf sucks; it's nothing but crowded crappy restaurants and crowded crappy t-shirt stores. The only thing worth doing there is going to the In'n'Out Burger joint and ordering the Animal Style fries. Skip it.

Second tip: fire up StubHub and get yourself some cheap tickets to a Giants game; the stadium is just down the street from where you're staying, and it's a great way to spend an afternoon or an evening.

Third tip: if you're going to the Golden Gate Bridge, rent a bike! You can ride up the Embarcadero and all the way around through Crissy Field (which has zillion-dollar postcard views of the bridge; then you can ride up and over the bridge and down to the cute bayside town of Sausalito. From there, you can take your bike on the ferry all the way back to SF. This loop will take most of a day to do, but it'll be a day you'll never forget.

Fourth tip: don't just do the obvious tourist traps. Here's a few more places to try:

• San Francisco has a thriving bar culture, and my personal favourite is Smuggler's Cove. It's an unprepossessing little door on Gough Street, that when you open it leads you into a three-storey pirate's den (with its very own waterfall!) that serves four hundred different rums. Go to the downstairs bar and curl up with a huge rum cocktail. It's brilliant.
• SF also has a spectacular restaurant scene. You think Singapore does good food? You're in for a treat. Get yourself down to the Mission district, find a little taqueria, and gorge yourself on burritos. The entire Valencia Street strip between 16th and 24th is fantastic as well - lots of trendy cafes, cool shopping, and people-watching. (Don't miss Paxton Gate, on Valencia somewhere between 18th and 20th - it's the sort of shop you'd get if Martha Stewart and Tim Burton opened a home decorating store together.)
• If you're on Valencia and it's a sunny day, wander three blocks west to Dolores Park. Grab an ice-cream from the Bi-Rite Creamery, sit down in the park, and enjoy the sunshine.
• Don't miss the Castro. It's friendly; it's packed with history; the bars are cheap; the drinks are strong; and the people-watching is second to none.
• Get yourself up to Alamo Square late in the evening - a couple of hours before sunset - and watch the sun set over the Painted Ladies, a group of Victorian houses with a zillion-dollar view of the city.
• Out in Golden Gate Park (take the 5 bus from downtown, or the N-Judah streetcar), there's the Cal Academy, which might just be the coolest science museum in the world; and the Japanese Tea Garden, which is a charming little refuge from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Bonus - there's a bike rental spot right near the Academy, and you can get from there to the beach and back in less than two hours.

Any questions?

 

[Telur17]

Hey, that's my turf! I live in SF and love it; you're going to have a blast.

So you've listed the three obvious tourist attractions in San Francisco (don't call it Frisco), but there's a LOT more to the city than that.

First tip: Fisherman's Wharf sucks; it's nothing but crowded crappy restaurants and crowded crappy t-shirt stores. The only thing worth doing there is going to the In'n'Out Burger joint and ordering the Animal Style fries. Skip it.

Second tip: fire up StubHub and get yourself some cheap tickets to a Giants game; the stadium is just down the street from where you're staying, and it's a great way to spend an afternoon or an evening.

Third tip: if you're going to the Golden Gate Bridge, rent a bike! You can ride up the Embarcadero and all the way around through Crissy Field (which has zillion-dollar postcard views of the bridge; then you can ride up and over the bridge and down to the cute bayside town of Sausalito. From there, you can take your bike on the ferry all the way back to SF. This loop will take most of a day to do, but it'll be a day you'll never forget.

Fourth tip: don't just do the obvious tourist traps. Here's a few more places to try:

• San Francisco has a thriving bar culture, and my personal favourite is Smuggler's Cove. It's an unprepossessing little door on Gough Street, that when you open it leads you into a three-storey pirate's den (with its very own waterfall!) that serves four hundred different rums. Go to the downstairs bar and curl up with a huge rum cocktail. It's brilliant.
• SF also has a spectacular restaurant scene. You think Singapore does good food? You're in for a treat. Get yourself down to the Mission district, find a little taqueria, and gorge yourself on burritos. The entire Valencia Street strip between 16th and 24th is fantastic as well - lots of trendy cafes, cool shopping, and people-watching. (Don't miss Paxton Gate, on Valencia somewhere between 18th and 20th - it's the sort of shop you'd get if Martha Stewart and Tim Burton opened a home decorating store together.)
• If you're on Valencia and it's a sunny day, wander three blocks west to Dolores Park. Grab an ice-cream from the Bi-Rite Creamery, sit down in the park, and enjoy the sunshine.
• Don't miss the Castro. It's friendly; it's packed with history; the bars are cheap; the drinks are strong; and the people-watching is second to none.
• Get yourself up to Alamo Square late in the evening - a couple of hours before sunset - and watch the sun set over the Painted Ladies, a group of Victorian houses with a zillion-dollar view of the city.
• Out in Golden Gate Park (take the 5 bus from downtown, or the N-Judah streetcar), there's the Cal Academy, which might just be the coolest science museum in the world; and the Japanese Tea Garden, which is a charming little refuge from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Bonus - there's a bike rental spot right near the Academy, and you can get from there to the beach and back in less than two hours.

Any questions?

wah, sounds so fun. Hope to be able to visit San Francisco one day

But prob. I can't cycle. N even if I do, hard to cycle with 2 kids? like this how?

 

[Hisashiburi]

For the sf area,rent a car or take a day tour to monterey and carmel along the coast.
Fantastic scenery along the 7 mile drive.

Depending on hoe much time u have, u can also go to UC Berkeley.
It is one of the most famous US college campuses. Good also to pick up asian students.

Redwood(?) National park is also nearby.

Sourdough bread is famous in sf.

 

[Hisashiburi]

For the 17 day trip, this is what I would suggest.
-Spend 4 days or so in nyc for shopping and mmuseums.maybe 3 if u are fast.
- 2 days in Boston (since u are already in the east coast). Take train up from nyc.
- fly to toronto about 2 days and see the falls. Be sure to take the cave of the winds tour. Not much in toronto itself.
- visit montreal for 2 days. Frenchy town with street signs all in french.
- fly to LV and spend 3 days or so.
includes 1 day trip to grand canyon.
for me, LV sucks as I dont gamble and not that interested in the shows. Not cheap either.
- fly to sf and spend the rest of the time there before flying back from sfo.
For me, sf is the most interesting city in the usa and the most things to see, including the surrounding areas.

Are u traveling with kids?

 

[Hisashiburi]

If u dont want to do boston, add those days to sf and explore the northern California area, including napa valley if u like wine.

Be aware that with so many flights and travel, your travel cost will increase quite a bit.

Since u are flying so much, use airlines from the same alliance so u can get plenty of flight points.
Some frequent flier programs allow u to pool miles for family but most dont.
Asiana for star alliance and korean air for skyteam lets u pool family miles.

 

[Telur17]

If u dont want to do boston, add those days to sf and explore the northern California area, including napa valley if u like wine.

Be aware that with so many flights and travel, your travel cost will increase quite a bit.

Since u are flying so much, use airlines from the same alliance so u can get plenty of flight points.
Some frequent flier programs allow u to pool miles for family but most dont.
Asiana for star alliance and korean air for skyteam lets u pool family miles.

ana oso can pool points.

 

[BiG_FisH]

Hey, that's my turf! I live in SF and love it; you're going to have a blast.

So you've listed the three obvious tourist attractions in San Francisco (don't call it Frisco), but there's a LOT more to the city than that.

First tip: Fisherman's Wharf sucks; it's nothing but crowded crappy restaurants and crowded crappy t-shirt stores. The only thing worth doing there is going to the In'n'Out Burger joint and ordering the Animal Style fries. Skip it.

Will take this into consideration

Second tip: fire up StubHub and get yourself some cheap tickets to a Giants game; the stadium is just down the street from where you're staying, and it's a great way to spend an afternoon or an evening.

Will try to check this out, not a fan of baseball though

Third tip: if you're going to the Golden Gate Bridge, rent a bike! You can ride up the Embarcadero and all the way around through Crissy Field (which has zillion-dollar postcard views of the bridge; then you can ride up and over the bridge and down to the cute bayside town of Sausalito. From there, you can take your bike on the ferry all the way back to SF. This loop will take most of a day to do, but it'll be a day you'll never forget.

Adding this into my itinerary!

Fourth tip: don't just do the obvious tourist traps.

Care to elaborate?

Here's a few more places to try:

• San Francisco has a thriving bar culture, and my personal favourite is Smuggler's Cove. It's an unprepossessing little door on Gough Street, that when you open it leads you into a three-storey pirate's den (with its very own waterfall!) that serves four hundred different rums. Go to the downstairs bar and curl up with a huge rum cocktail. It's brilliant.
  
  Location added to Google maps
  
• SF also has a spectacular restaurant scene. You think Singapore does good food? You're in for a treat. Get yourself down to the Mission district, find a little taqueria, and gorge yourself on burritos. The entire Valencia Street strip between 16th and 24th is fantastic as well - lots of trendy cafes, cool shopping, and people-watching. (Don't miss Paxton Gate, on Valencia somewhere between 18th and 20th - it's the sort of shop you'd get if Martha Stewart and Tim Burton opened a home decorating store together.)
  
  Noted.
  
• If you're on Valencia and it's a sunny day, wander three blocks west to Dolores Park. Grab an ice-cream from the Bi-Rite Creamery, sit down in the park, and enjoy the sunshine.
  
• Don't miss the Castro. It's friendly; it's packed with history; the bars are cheap; the drinks are strong; and the people-watching is second to none.
  
  Will do so if I happen to head down near Dolores Park
  
• Get yourself up to Alamo Square late in the evening - a couple of hours before sunset - and watch the sun set over the Painted Ladies, a group of Victorian houses with a zillion-dollar view of the city.
  
  Sounds like a great place for some scenic shots!
  
• Out in Golden Gate Park (take the 5 bus from downtown, or the N-Judah streetcar), there's the Cal Academy, which might just be the coolest science museum in the world; and the Japanese Tea Garden, which is a charming little refuge from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Bonus - there's a bike rental spot right near the Academy, and you can get from there to the beach and back in less than two hours.

May skip this...thanks for the info though

Any questions?

Awesome tips! Thanks!

As for shopping, do you have any recommendations near my hotel area?