US help.

[bluesky1]

So I'm not 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure there isn't an ATT or T-Mo store at SFO (at least, I haven't seen one and I was there last weekend).

You'll want to go downtown, but the trip from A to B is easy - just hop on BART (the BART station is right next to the international terminal), hop off at Powell or Montgomery stations, and look for the corner of Market and 3rd street - there's an AT&T store on one corner, and a T-Mo store on the other corner.

Shiny, thanks! Yup that's what I'll do... Going to Powell Station cos im staying in union square area... so I just pop into the stores and I should be in safe hands? I guess the people will be able to help us ya? Saw something like a gophone plan on the web. is that what tourists look for?

 

[Human A]

arghhh.. now i realized i made a dumb mistake with the check-in / check-out dates at vegas. And cus of the advance rate i'm getting, Best Western Bryce doesn't allow me to modify my date with them. So now I have an extra night before bryce canyon.

Going by your itinerary, i am doing Vegas (2 nights) - Grand Canyon (1 night) - Bryce (1 night) and Zion (1 night). Should i add the night at vegas, gc or bryce?

 

[cormet]

arghhh.. now i realized i made a dumb mistake with the check-in / check-out dates at vegas. And cus of the advance rate i'm getting, Best Western Bryce doesn't allow me to modify my date with them. So now I have an extra night before bryce canyon.

Going by your itinerary, i am doing Vegas (2 nights) - Grand Canyon (1 night) - Bryce (1 night) and Zion (1 night). Should i add the night at vegas, gc or bryce?

What time are you getting into Grand Canyon and which rim are you visiting? If you get in after 3pm and have to leave early the next day, I'll add it there.

Otherwise I'll add it at Vegas. 1 more night could mean 1 more show or 1 more buffet to enjoy

 

[Shiny Things]

Shiny, thanks! Yup that's what I'll do... Going to Powell Station cos im staying in union square area... so I just pop into the stores and I should be in safe hands? I guess the people will be able to help us ya? Saw something like a gophone plan on the web. is that what tourists look for?

Yep - that's what you'll be after. The staff in that AT&T store (Market and 3rd) are pretty clueful, they'll help you out if you tell them what you need.

 

[Shiny Things]

arghhh.. now i realized i made a dumb mistake with the check-in / check-out dates at vegas. And cus of the advance rate i'm getting, Best Western Bryce doesn't allow me to modify my date with them. So now I have an extra night before bryce canyon.

Going by your itinerary, i am doing Vegas (2 nights) - Grand Canyon (1 night) - Bryce (1 night) and Zion (1 night). Should i add the night at vegas, gc or bryce?

Could be worse, at least you haven't double-booked yourself for a night.

I'd actually say "none of the above" - spend it in the town of Page, sort of halfway between GCNP and Bryce. You can use it as a base to do Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe Bend, and even the spectacularly beautiful Antelope Canyon, which you probably wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. You might've just accidentally created yourself a nice extra addition to your vacation.

(If you're super fancy, the Amangiri resort is just up the road from Page, and makes a great stopover spot if you don't mind paying eleven hundred USD a night.)

 

[Human A]

South rim! planning to leave Vegas early in the morning for grand canyon. 2nights in Vegas before the parks, another night on the return.

What time are you getting into Grand Canyon and which rim are you visiting? If you get in after 3pm and have to leave early the next day, I'll add it there.

Otherwise I'll add it at Vegas. 1 more night could mean 1 more show or 1 more buffet to enjoy

 

[Human A]

ahhh good idea. Just read that I need to join a tour at antelope. Looks like a super nice place for photo shoot. remember you said 3 nights will be ideal, guess I made a good mistake then!

Could be worse, at least you haven't double-booked yourself for a night.

I'd actually say "none of the above" - spend it in the town of Page, sort of halfway between GCNP and Bryce. You can use it as a base to do Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe Bend, and even the spectacularly beautiful Antelope Canyon, which you probably wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. You might've just accidentally created yourself a nice extra addition to your vacation.

(If you're super fancy, the Amangiri resort is just up the road from Page, and makes a great stopover spot if you don't mind paying eleven hundred USD a night.)

 

[califonia]

Trying to book Las Vegas hotel.
Vdara have great feedback but only offer 1 King/1 sofa-bed type.

Found Aria and Red Rock offer 2 Queen bedding. Anyone stayed in these 2 hotels before? comments?

As we don't gamble, just hope to find a hotel suitable for my 2 young kids.

 

[cormet]

South rim! planning to leave Vegas early in the morning for grand canyon. 2nights in Vegas before the parks, another night on the return.

I remember leaving Vegas in the morning after breakfast (8+am). Went to Hoover Dam first, was my second time there but spent abit of time there exploring.

Do refer to this free shuttle bus schedule South Rim Shuttle Bus Routes 2014 - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

You can't drive you car to some of the sights on the Grand Canyon so the bus is necessary. They usually stop about 30mins before sunset so make sure you get to there earlier to be able to maximise ur visit. Also, the sunrise there is really beautiful, worth waking up early and braving the cold!

 

[aizutto]

Hi!

I am planning a trip to US next year hopefully.
I am hoping to stop by Korea before heading to US (San Diego to be exact).

Will it be possible for me to buy a plane ticket from an airline for SG -> KR and then another ticket from another airline from KR -> San Diego?

Thank you for your help.

 

[fone]

Hi!

I am planning a trip to US next year hopefully.
I am hoping to stop by Korea before heading to US (San Diego to be exact).

Will it be possible for me to buy a plane ticket from an airline for SG -> KR and then another ticket from another airline from KR -> San Diego?

Thank you for your help.

First, you don't need to buy separate tickets for such itinerary, can just be one ticket, with a stopover in Korea. Try Korea based airlines like korean air, asiana. Even SQ flies SIN - ICN - SFO. However, they do not fly to San Diego directly, there will be domestic flights involved (or you can drive from like LAX).

 

[Shiny Things]

Trying to book Las Vegas hotel.
Vdara have great feedback but only offer 1 King/1 sofa-bed type.

Found Aria and Red Rock offer 2 Queen bedding. Anyone stayed in these 2 hotels before? comments?

As we don't gamble, just hope to find a hotel suitable for my 2 young kids.

Pick the Aria, it's fantastic - great location right in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, and really plush.

The Red Rock is WAY out in the middle of nowhere, half an hour's drive from the Strip.

You might want to check out the Mandarin Oriental - it's a non-gambling hotel right in the same complex as the Aria or Vdara - or the Four Seasons at the Mandalay Bay, which apparently has a great kids club.

 

[califonia]

Thanks Pal!

I have booked Aria for the first 3 nights stay. Still searching for Mandarin Oriental. Will try to book that for our return stay after GC.

Since traveling with young kids, i hope my below traveling itinerary will not be too taxing. They averaged 4-5hr drive time ea. Frankly, all hotels book under its star rating. So i have no idea what to expect. Now, its time to plan what to do in each place. Btw, we are fans for the show Pawn Star and LA ink, worth visiting? Maybe get a gift and tattoo too


1. SFO (3 nights in Double Tree Hilton)
2. Yosemite (2 nights in Tenaya Lodge)
3. LV (2 nights in Aria)
4. GC (2 nights in The Grand Hotel)
5. LV (2 nights in hopefully Mandarin Oriental)
6. LA (3 nights in Hilton Universal Studio)
7. SD (3 night hotel not confirmed)
8. LA (2 nights Hilton LAX)

Pick the Aria, it's fantastic - great location right in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, and really plush.

The Red Rock is WAY out in the middle of nowhere, half an hour's drive from the Strip.

You might want to check out the Mandarin Oriental - it's a non-gambling hotel right in the same complex as the Aria or Vdara - or the Four Seasons at the Mandalay Bay, which apparently has a great kids club.

 

[aizutto]

First, you don't need to buy separate tickets for such itinerary, can just be one ticket, with a stopover in Korea. Try Korea based airlines like korean air, asiana. Even SQ flies SIN - ICN - SFO. However, they do not fly to San Diego directly, there will be domestic flights involved (or you can drive from like LAX).

Sorry, I realised my question wasn't really put out properly. What I meant was I am hoping to spend a couple of days in Korea before flying off to US.

 

[Hisashiburi]

U can get a stopover in korea usually at no extra charge.

Call the airline first n check to see if it is possible n if there are charges on stopovers.

I fly korean air often to the usa and usually get a free stopover for a few days in korea.

Dont know if sq or oz charges, prob not oz.

Sorry, I realised my question wasn't really put out properly. What I meant was I am hoping to spend a couple of days in Korea before flying off to US.

 

[fone]

U can get a stopover in korea usually at no extra charge.

For those who are unfamiliar with airline terms, a stopover means a stop for more than 24 hours.

 

[Ari~ko]

7 days in NY

First trip to NY this July. will be travelling alone for 7 days. Intend to explore NY with a R&R mode, of coz the outlet 2 !

Just started planning and will be good if someone can recommend on :

1. Accommodations (7 nites $ is no joke...)
2. Itineraries-after reading some forums, seems that the key attractions:
a. Statue of Liberty
b. Empire State or might go Rockefellers instead
c. Central Park
d. 5th Ave
e. Times Square
f. Museum- probably just go 1 as i'm not an "arty" person
g. Woodbury
h. Niagara .......via train?
i. Others?

Should i get Grayline or NewYork pass for the above itineraries? Or i go on my own?

TIA!

 

[Shiny Things]

First trip to NY this July. will be travelling alone for 7 days. Intend to explore NY with a R&R mode, of coz the outlet 2 !

1. Accommodations (7 nites $ is no joke...)

OK, I'm gonna go off on a bit of a rant here.

Everyone reading this thread, pay attention: if you want hotel recommendations, or restaurant recommendations, YOU NEED TO GIVE A PRICE RANGE. We can't help you if we don't know whether you want a Westin or a Holiday Inn.

Anyway, without a price range, I'm going to recommend the Plaza. You're welcome.

2. Itineraries-after reading some forums, seems that the key attractions:
a. Statue of Liberty
b. Empire State or might go Rockefellers instead
c. Central Park
d. 5th Ave
e. Times Square
f. Museum- probably just go 1 as i'm not an "arty" person
g. Woodbury
h. Niagara .......via train?
i. Others?

You're just ticking off the tourist essentials there - you're not really experiencing NYC. Here's a few tips.

Go to Soho and have a pot of tea in Teany, the Moby-owned tea restaurant; then when you're done, wander back across to Prince Street and Spring street and check out the crazy-cool shopping. (For that matter, keep an eye on the Racked NYC blog for any pointers to sales while you're there.)

Go to Top of the Rock instead of the Empire State; it's better and less crowded.

Times Square kind of blows. It's crowded and horrifically touristy. Keep walking west instead, and you'll end up at the Intrepid Museum, where you can crawl around an aircraft carrier and touch a space shuttle. It's awesome.

If you've got time, the Museum of American Finance is seriously cool. So is the Museum of Natural History. I don't care if you're not "arty", neither of those are art museums. Go expand your mind while you're on holiday.

You don't need (or want) to waste an entire day going to Woodbury. Do your shopping in NYC instead - it might actually work out cheaper.

Niagara... meh. It's kind of hard to get there from Manhattan - you've generally gotta fly or drive. I'd skip it, there's plenty to do in NYC. If you want to get out for a day or two, catch the Acela train down to DC and go see everything down there.

 

[Ari~ko]

Thanks!
The plaza is good. With that budget, I will like to check out Casablanca. : )
My budget is ~S$200/nite. ( no bunk please) as I will be out most of the time, a decent @accessible location is key.
Just narrow a few - Best Western, Out Ny, Edison...

I like your suggestion on checking out Soho.
Is it worth going up the crown of liberty? Seems there will be long q and might need take too much time.
Any comment on the Gray Lines?

 

[cormet]

Thanks!
The plaza is good. With that budget, I will like to check out Casablanca. : )
My budget is ~S$200/nite. ( no bunk please) as I will be out most of the time, a decent @accessible location is key.
Just narrow a few - Best Western, Out Ny, Edison...

I like your suggestion on checking out Soho.
Is it worth going up the crown of liberty? Seems there will be long q and might need take too much time.
Any comment on the Gray Lines?

TRYP at times sq south is also a good hotel. Also previously stayed at Westin Jersey City Newport, cheaper but gotta take a train over to new york.

The crown is a bit of a hit and miss, I think it's just the feeling of "I'm on the crown".