US help.

[Hisashiburi]

As mentioned by the others, flying to the coasts for a weekend is not really worth it.

It costs too much and the time taken to fly back east is too long.
If u take a 12pm flight from SF, it is like a 3-4 hr flight but u probably need a connection somewhere n that would take another hour or two. Add in 2 hr time difference, reaching Wichita would be about say 6pm.
U also have to check in early at the airport, usa airport security check in lines can be very very bad.
So flying from the west coast to the east, basically takes up the entire day.

Best to go to cities or places with direct flights.

i will be able to drive 2,3 hrs max i guess since i most likely be alone unless i can get my US colleagues to join me.

since this is my first time to US, i have no expectations at all. i like watching shows/plays/performances as well as seeing sights. finding nice restaurants to eat is also a joy i like when going overseas

 

[engshing]

you are all very helpful! Yep, i am limiting myself to places with direct flights to from ICT. Really not a lot of places tt has a direct flight from ICT. San Fran is the only place tt i intend to go which require a layover. I will try to take leave on Fri so that I will have more time to explore. Will be sticking to United for most of the flights to earn the miles.
a question on the security check, for domestic flight, it will be just as strict as those on international? the layover time is around 30min!

 

[Hisashiburi]

Layover time meaning time between flights?
If 30 mins, it is way too short especially if u don't know the airport well.

Takes a while sometimes for planes to taxi to the gate and also to deplane.
30 mins before takeoff means the flight has already started boarding.

Yes, security check is the same as for international.
It can get really bad at times.
Most times, u can use a carryon bag but might not be possible if u fly on a small EJ type plane. Those little planes dont have much space for carryon bags n have to check it in.

If flying UA, have to connect mostly at Chicago as that is their hub.
Winter conditions cause a lot of delays there so be aware.

 

[patryn33]

you are all very helpful! Yep, i am limiting myself to places with direct flights to from ICT. Really not a lot of places tt has a direct flight from ICT. San Fran is the only place tt i intend to go which require a layover. I will try to take leave on Fri so that I will have more time to explore. Will be sticking to United for most of the flights to earn the miles.
a question on the security check, for domestic flight, it will be just as strict as those on international? the layover time is around 30min!

If u have long weekend can do a bit more but just Sat and Sunday, u spend more time traveling than checking out places.

Even with long weekend say 3 days off, it will be hard to do Vegas, Grand Canyon and places in Utah and back! Not even sure you can do Vegas and Grand Canyon over 3 day weekend. Possible but it's like amazing race. You want to memories to be rush saw it, maybe not diff from watching on YouTube

 

[patryn33]

No idea, only 7 days with wife (final destination in Washington DC) - so should drive or uber all the way?

Any itinerary to share? any airbnb or stay in hotel?

Thanks in advance

I am hotel guy cannot comment on Airbnb
I can share some ideas but it's late for me, I am on EST zone

 

[Hisashiburi]

As for hotels, many hotel chains provide reciprocal miles for airlines.
Same as for car rentals.
U can rack up quite a bit of miles this way, if u are into that.

 

[engshing]

If u have long weekend can do a bit more but just Sat and Sunday, u spend more time traveling than checking out places.

Even with long weekend say 3 days off, it will be hard to do Vegas, Grand Canyon and places in Utah and back! Not even sure you can do Vegas and Grand Canyon over 3 day weekend. Possible but it's like amazing race. You want to memories to be rush saw it, maybe not diff from watching on YouTube

thanks for your advice. i am not the type to rush through things. well, i may just pick and visit the places i am really interested in and enjoy them thoroughly. i can always go back again in the future to go to other attractions that i have missed. shld have chance to head back to US for work.

 

[staseus]

Thank you so much to everyone in the thread!!!
It is very helpful!!!

Hotels booked with heaps of thanks to Shiny things and his recommendations

Can I check which car rental sites do people here use?
For some reason, when I use carrental.com, only thrifty and dollar turned up on the search result.

Is car rentals like ez rent a car reliable? It has the cheaper rates but reviews are mixed on the net.


Counting down to holidays !!

 

[coachie]

Hi all
Need some advice. I planning to visit US in Jul. plan to visit west coast first - san franciso, yellowstone national park, las vegas, grand canyon, los angeles and lastly take a domestic flight to east coast for niagara falls and new york.

Is two weeks sufficient to cover these places or is it too rush? TIA

 

[mroneder]

Hi, to repost, my work is Washington DC.

Quote "Hi all,

Need some suggestions about an upcoming trip with my SO.

We have been to Los angeles, SF and San Jose last year, so thinking of some other places this time.

This are our dates of travel

9th April - Arrive in USA (please recommend where should we go?)
Till 17th April - is our fun time!
17th April - To reach Washington (I have business meeting there from 18th April to 22nd April. (My SO probably staying 2-3 days in Washington, look around the place herself during the day time and we dinner and see things at night together)
After 2-3 days, she will head home first.
23rd April - I will depart for home

About me (male) - like shopping, outlets, theme parks, maybe some must see attractions, more of a city person
About her - she likes nature, culture, less of theme parks

Any itinerary to share?

Regards," Unquote

Sounds like you should go to NYC. I did a 9 day NYC + DC trip
Day 1: Landed at noon at JFK. Did 911 memorial, Wall Street and charging bull and Times Square at night

Day 2: Outlet shopping at Woodsbury from 10 am to 6 pm. Had dinner at Katz's Deli for Pastrami sandwich. Did Empire State Building at night

Day 3: breakfast at Clinton street cafe followed by Statue of Liberty and Ellis island. Took subway to DUMBO at Brooklyn. Have late lunch at Juliana's pizza. Enjoy the view of Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn bridge park and walk cross Brooklyn bridge at sunset. Walk to Chinatown/Little Italy for dinner.

Day 4: High line and Chelsea market for lunch. Visited Bryant Park, New York Public Library and Grand Central Terminal. Walk along 5th Ave for shopping up to Apple Store near Central Park. Had dinner at Halal Guys food truck. Catch a musical in the evening

Day 5: Fly to DC. Visited US Capitol and snap a picture of White House from outside the gate

Day 6: Visited Washington monument, WWII, Korean War, Lincoln, FDR memorials. Have lunch at Founding Farmers. Visited Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Head to Gerogetown for shopping and dinner

Day 7: Visited Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Fly back to NYC. Had lay dinner at Koreatown.

Day 8: Road trip to Vanderbilt's Mansion and FDR's house in upstate New York

Day 9: Explore Central Park. Have lunch at Madison Square Park at Shake Shack or Madison Square Eats in Spring or Falls. Snap a picture of Flatiron Building. Explore flatiron district (donut factory, eataly). Dinner at Times Square to take in the NYC energy and vibrancy for the last time. Depart from NYC from JFK

 

[Siyu]

Sounds like you should go to NYC. I did a 9 day NYC + DC trip
Day 1: Landed at noon at JFK. Did 911 memorial, Wall Street and charging bull and Times Square at night

Day 2: Outlet shopping at Woodsbury from 10 am to 6 pm. Had dinner at Katz's Deli for Pastrami sandwich. Did Empire State Building at night

Day 3: breakfast at Clinton street cafe followed by Statue of Liberty and Ellis island. Took subway to DUMBO at Brooklyn. Have late lunch at Juliana's pizza. Enjoy the view of Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn bridge park and walk cross Brooklyn bridge at sunset. Walk to Chinatown/Little Italy for dinner.

Day 4: High line and Chelsea market for lunch. Visited Bryant Park, New York Public Library and Grand Central Terminal. Walk along 5th Ave for shopping up to Apple Store near Central Park. Had dinner at Halal Guys food truck. Catch a musical in the evening

Day 5: Fly to DC. Visited US Capitol and snap a picture of White House from outside the gate

Day 6: Visited Washington monument, WWII, Korean War, Lincoln, FDR memorials. Have lunch at Founding Farmers. Visited Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Head to Gerogetown for shopping and dinner

Day 7: Visited Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Fly back to NYC. Had lay dinner at Koreatown.

Day 8: Road trip to Vanderbilt's Mansion and FDR's house in upstate New York

Day 9: Explore Central Park. Have lunch at Madison Square Park at Shake Shack or Madison Square Eats in Spring or Falls. Snap a picture of Flatiron Building. Explore flatiron district (donut factory, eataly). Dinner at Times Square to take in the NYC energy and vibrancy for the last time. Depart from NYC from JFK

Hi this is great , i will plan around your itinerary! Thank you!

I am thinking of doing NYC (7 days) at a go then go to DC (2.5 days). Start work

Any hotels, to share during the NYC stay and DC stay? Any other things to take note?

 

[Shiny Things]

Hi this is great , i will plan around your itinerary! Thank you!

I am thinking of doing NYC (7 days) at a go then go to DC (2.5 days). Start work

Any hotels, to share during the NYC stay and DC stay? Any other things to take note?

If you want us to recommend hotels, you need to tell us:
* What's your budget?
* What are your dates?
* What chains are you loyal to, if any?

If you don't give us that, we don't know whether to recommend the St Regis or the Holiday Inn.

Hi all
Need some advice. I planning to visit US in Jul. plan to visit west coast first - san franciso, yellowstone national park, las vegas, grand canyon, los angeles and lastly take a domestic flight to east coast for niagara falls and new york.

Is two weeks sufficient to cover these places or is it too rush? TIA

Too rushed. In two weeks you could just about cover your west coast itinerary; I'd do west coast or east coast but not both.

 

[mroneder]

Hi this is great , i will plan around your itinerary! Thank you!

I am thinking of doing NYC (7 days) at a go then go to DC (2.5 days). Start work

Any hotels, to share during the NYC stay and DC stay? Any other things to take note?

As Shiny Things has pointed out, would need to know your budget for hotels. Hotels in NYC, especially in Manhattan,can be expensive depending on the season. It also depends on how you want to travel from JFK to Manhattan. You can save some money by taking the LIRR from JFK to Penn Station instead of taking the cab, but you would need to stay somewhere near Penn Station so that you need not lug your baggages to your hotel. The above suggestion is assuming you want to stay in Manhattan where most of the attractions are located. You may wish to stay in Brooklyn or New Jersey depending on your budget.

I also had bad experience flying from NYC to DC by Delta. Was late by 3 hours on both legs! Anyone has experience taking Amtrak from NYC to DC and can advise whether it is a better option than flying?

 

[patryn33]

9th April - Arrive in USA (please recommend where should we go?)
Till 17th April - is our fun time!
17th April - To reach Washington (I have business meeting there from 18th April to 22nd April. (My SO probably staying 2-3 days in Washington, look around the place herself during the day time and we dinner and see things at night together)
After 2-3 days, she will head home first.
23rd April - I will depart for home

About me (male) - like shopping, outlets, theme parks, maybe some must see attractions, more of a city person
About her - she likes nature, culture, less of theme parks

Any itinerary to share?

if U flying into NYC, no much theme parks in the area really.
U have about 11 days before you head to DC.

I would spend 4-5 days in NYC, suggestion have been provided as to what to see and do. Since U into shopping visit the giant factory outlet.
Head to Niagara Falls spend 2-3 days there, there are nice wineries to visit.
- inniskillin
- pillitteri estates winery
- two sisters winery (new and up coming)
- peller estates winery

if U sick of wines check out Great Mountain Ginseng.
Benchmark Restaurant at Niagara College is a great place to dine but make sure you make reservations esp weekend.

Stick to ny state visit Watkins glen state park or Adirondack and U can rent a cabin to chill for 2 days before heading back to DC.

there is Algonquin park if u can drive all the way there but it maybe still cold.

try Shenandoah National Park which is south of DC, spend a few days there to get out of the city.
if U like the french side of things consider flying out to Montreal and Old Quebec city. I love these places.

 

[liemsc]

What would be the good apps/website to get restaurant reviews for USA cities?
Thanks in advance!

 

[patryn33]

What would be the good apps/website to get restaurant reviews for USA cities?
Thanks in advance!

Google! Or Yelp

 

[Trazora]

What would be the good apps/website to get restaurant reviews for USA cities?
Thanks in advance!

Maybe tripadvisor

 

[liemsc]

Google! Or Yelp

I mean more specific for food one.. Like the Zomato/ Urbanspoon for Australia, where you can search using various filters.
Or even Hungrygowhere for Sg

 

[Shiny Things]

I also had bad experience flying from NYC to DC by Delta. Was late by 3 hours on both legs! Anyone has experience taking Amtrak from NYC to DC and can advise whether it is a better option than flying?

Yeah, I've done this, and I liked it. It takes about the same time as flying (Amtrak leaves from Penn Station and drops you straight into downtown DC; the Delta Shuttle flight means you have to take a taxi to LGA, then go through security, then take DC Metro at the other end to get into town); and it's fun to sit and look out the window for a couple of hours.

As much as I tend to say "Amtrak is for old people, don't bother, just fly instead", the NYC-DC route is actually pretty good.

The biggest knock I've heard against Amtrak is that the wifi blows.

What would be the good apps/website to get restaurant reviews for USA cities?
Thanks in advance!

I mean more specific for food one.. Like the Zomato/ Urbanspoon for Australia, where you can search using various filters.
Or even Hungrygowhere for Sg

Yelp is the specific-for-food option. Everyone uses Yelp over here.

As a guide: Yelp is better for restaurants, bars, and clubs; Tripadvisor is better for hotels and touristy things.

 

[patryn33]

I mean more specific for food one.. Like the Zomato/ Urbanspoon for Australia, where you can search using various filters.
Or even Hungrygowhere for Sg

Yelp not specific enough?
Zagat?
https://www.zomato.com