Post # 1
Member
653 posts
Busy bee
Hi Bees,
My SO and I have both always wanted to go to the USA.. We originally have been planning to do it for our honeymoon but may have a chance to do it in July 2014, we would like to go to New York City, Las Vegas, San Francisco and LA.. I would love to hear from local bees (or bees who have been there on holiday) and get some ideas on what to see/where to stay/eat etc.. We will obviously be doing the main things like the The Empire State Building, Alcatraz, Universal Studios and all those things but I would love to hear other ideas that aren’t as touristy 🙂
Post # 3
Member
1721 posts
Bumble bee
I don’t live in any of these places but I just got back from Vegas and I will tell you my two favorite things. First we went on a party bus, it took us to three different clubs and we had an absolute blast because we got to meet awesome people, see different places, and party our hearts out. So if you like going out you should look into that. Next we ate at a place called Dick’s, the food wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great but the environment was great, the waiters are all hilarious IMO. Now if you go there you have to be really open and you can’t be a person who gets offended easily. I loved it but they can be really dirty and rude but it is all in good fun. I hope you have a blast on your trip and are able to find a lot of fun things to do 🙂
Post # 4
Member
8695 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
How long would you come to the States for? I’m asking bc none of those cities are close so you need time in each one plus travel time. I’m in the NYC area and I’m always out so I can recommend some things. What types of things do you like to do? Shopping? Sightseeing? Plays? Also, what type of budget would you be on?
Post # 5
Member
653 posts
Busy bee
@alyssaC: Thanks! We do love to party so I love the idea of a party bus and neither of us are easily offended so we may have to look into that place!
@gelaine22: We are hoping to spend 4 weeks there, we are probably more into sightseeing/plays/shows more than shopping (although thats not to say we won’t do any but we can shop here!) I’m not 100% sure on a budget really because I don’t know how much to allow for flights, hotels etc.. possibly $15,000 max? We would like to hire a car from Vegas and drive to San Fran & LA if we have time/money!
Post # 6
Member
1251 posts
Bumble bee
I lived in NYC for 6 months while I was at uni doing an internship. Definitely go to Cafe Wha? in the village – awesome live music/food/bar venue. They have a great in house cover band and they also have random bigger name pop up now and then too. They do Hudson river cruises in the summer too with live music as well so you may be there for one of those!
Top of the Rock is very good, better than the Empire State Building even. I would not bother going to Liberty Island, the view of the statue from the (free) Staten Island Ferry is all you need I think. I also just loved spending time wandering around Central Park.
‘The View’ bar (revolving bar in the Marriot Hotel in Times Square) was worth going up to for a drink to see the city lights. And definitley eat some NY cheesecake, a black and white cookie, pizza and a big sandwich!
Fiance and I are off to LA, Vegas, San Fran plus a whole bunch of other places (Yosemite, Grand Canyon, San Diego, Phoenix) etc. in August. We have booked a Streets of San Francisco cycling tour which came highly recommended, an Alcatraz night cruise, a LA Dodgers game etc. Can’t wait! We were told in San Fran to stay around the Fisherman’s Wharf area – accommondation is super expensive in San Fran but on Tripadvisor you can find accomodation in that vicinity that is a bit cheaper but still good. We are paying like $500 though for a small hotel for 2 nights which does not have any frills though, as a guide.
Post # 7
Member
8695 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I would allow $5,000 for flights/transportation.
There are soooo many plays in NYC (Broadway). I would say to go see Wicked because that is popular. I would try and get good tickets in advance bc it is usually sold out. However, there is a booth in Times Square that sells last minute Broadway tickets.
Sightseeing:
Empire State Building and while you are there…34th St Macy’s Herald Square
South Street Seaport
Central Park and 5th Ave…you dont have to shop but they have the most amazing window displays…also go to the Museum of Natural History
Statue of Liberty
if you see a Broadway play then you will probably see Times Square which I personally can’t stand bc it is always crowded and dirty but it’s famous so…meh
You can also visit some of the outer boroughs if you have time: Brooklyn (museum, Botanical Gardens, downtown, waterfront, etc)
If you like beer then there are beer gardens
I love NYC rooftops in the summer. I’m usually at one every week: 230 Fifth, Standard, Stk, etc
Famous restaurants/delis:
Carnegie Deli
Carmine’s
Brunches: I love Yotel’s brunch but there are plenty of other options also like Dos Caminos
I am from Brooklyn so I can go on forever about places to go in NYC!
ETA: I would see what Groupon and/or Living Social deals you guys can find before you come
Post # 8
Member
1348 posts
Bumble bee
I’d drive from Las Vegas to L.A. and then from L.A. to San Francisco, the drive between SF and Vegas is quite long and boring. On the drive up from L.A. to SF I’d take Hwy 1/101 because it’s coastal and you go through places that are really great areas (Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, etc). It takes a bit longer to do this but is still manageable in a day’s drive (if you leave fairly early).
In SF give yourself at least a day to explore Golden Gate park, home to many of the biggest museums in the city. I’d avoid Pier 39 & Fisherman’s Wharf unless you enjoy chain restaurants and tourist shops. Get some great Mexican food in the Mission, hit up Japantown and Chinatown (both don’t require much time). If you want to go hiking you can take a ferry over to Angel Island or head over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands and Mt. Tam. Check out city events calendars for different festivals. Check out deals websites for discounted room rates at hotels, also AirBnb. Most “well-known” areas bump up prices because there are so many tourists.
Post # 9
Member
653 posts
Busy bee
Thanks for some great ideas!! Also, can you recommend any good car hire places or ones to avoid?
@Lollybags: I’ve heard quite a few people say that The Rock is better than The Empire State Building..
@gelaine22: Thank you for all of your great ideas, I don’t love beer but my SO does so I know he will want to find a beer garden or two 🙂
Post # 10
Member
15 posts
Newbee
Hello,Brickette
I live in Miami where I advice you to pay a visit to. it is located in the southeast corner of Florida. Orlando‘s theme parks, Miami’s Gold Coast,both of them may surprise you.
Anyway,Happy holiday! 
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