im planning a holiday in the usa, but where to go?

Yup, the US is huuuuuge. No matter how long your vacation is (assuming it's under 2 months), I'd stick to a single section of the states and see as much as you can. I've been traveling the US since I was 5 (for 22 years now), and there's still a lot I haven't seen!

Yeah, Minnesota, not so much, especially if it's winter. But, if you're not looking to see famous things and it's spring or summer, Minnesota is great. We have beautiful forests and lakes, lots of good camping, and a nice metro area. We don't get a lot of foreign tourists though, so you'll probably get stared at with your accent

http://www.exploreminnesota.com

But personally, if I could only visit a part of the US, I wouldn't chose minnesota

Originally Posted by GoldyCat

I'm about 3-4 hours from the Grand Canyon, depending on what route I drive. Maybe we could meet up for a day (or more) if you decide to put that on your itinerary.

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yeah that would be cool, i think thats what would be really great if i could meet folks along the way who could give me the benfit of their local knowledge or whatever. i may well hold you to that!

"Breal76" i dunno how long i would be staying for, a few weeks i guess, if i like it i may even move there! i love my country and my people, but i cant help but want to explore!

"rahma" with my accenti get starred at if i go only about £50 miles away, the regional variation here in accent is incredible, i think its the greatest variation for land mass or somthing like that??? my accent is very broad, black country, i guess it kinda makes you sound stupid to many people, but its authentic and specific to my town, so i like it!

Im in the Cleveland Ohio area and we the Rock n Roll of fame .. Yes Cleveland ROCKS, but id rather be on vacation in sunny Florida..

The biggest thing people from England react to in the US (especially out west) is the size. We're huge! Oh, yeah, the Western National Parks mentioned by rahama are really close to each other.

The Grand Canyon North Rim to Zion National Park ... 200 kilometers
Zion to Bryce ... 137 kilometers
Bryce to Arches ... 435 kilometers

And really, no kidding, these parks are all bunched up right next to each other.

My spouse recently did a 3,300 km (2,000 mile) road trip one way, and he wants me to join him to do it again. And didn't drive all of the way across the country.

Everyone has asked really good questions about Nature vs. cities and east vs. west and the like. There are tons of things to see in the US. I would just try to hit things that fit your personality and interest, and not try to visit the United States. It's just too big.

Originally Posted by rahma

But personally, if I could only visit a part of the US, I wouldn't chose minnesota

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That's 'cause you LIVE there!

Remember with most of the north there may be ice and snow into March and on very rare occasions, April!

Originally Posted by jezmondo69

"rahma" with my accenti get starred at if i go only about £50 miles away, the regional variation here in accent is incredible, i think its the greatest variation for land mass or somthing like that??? my accent is very broad, black country, i guess it kinda makes you sound stupid to many people, but its authentic and specific to my town, so i like it!

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And you should hear the regional accents across the U.S. I once worked with a team of people from Alabama, Florida, Toronto, California, Texas, Tennessee and Chicago (which has a different accent than the rest of Illinois). Talk about entertaining meetings!

You could travel around just to hear the different accents! My favorite: Minnesota accents.

thats crazy, its 1346km from the top to bottom of the uk! 15 hours and you can drive it!

i know its a big place though over there, i just feel its somthing i gotta do!

im considering selling one of my cars to fund the trip actually, so i can stay a little longer.

this has been keeping me awake thinking about it, i got scratch this itch!

Asheville, NC is nice...it has the Biltmore House. But I would definitely recommend seeing the desert and Las Vegas as some of the other folks suggested. I've heard Hoover Dam is amazing, though I've never been there. New Orleans is a fascinating place, too. (I realize I'm all over the map here...but there are so many great places to chose from.) Wherever you go, I hope you have a wonderful time.

im sure i will have a great time, im pretty spontaneous so i'll probably just make it all up as i go along, i dont like planning too much, leave it as a mystery tour!

isnt there anyone who can find me a temporary job over there so i can do a few months lol!

Originally Posted by jezmondo69

im sure i will have a great time, im pretty spontaneous so i'll probably just make it all up as i go along, i dont like planning too much, leave it as a mystery tour!

isnt there anyone who can find me a temporary job over there so i can do a few months lol!

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I might have missed WHEN oyou plan on visiting...but i Know the summer camp I worked at in Greenwich Ct. had ALOT of forgieners working for the summer. Apparently they had some program where a portion of the staff came from the UK and stayed at one of the local colleges and worked at the camp and got paid and their housing taken care of for the whole summer.

soo if you are interested in working temp. in the states you might want to look into summer programs like that.

Originally Posted by vampcow

I might have missed WHEN oyou plan on visiting...but i Know the summer camp I worked at in Greenwich Ct. had ALOT of forgieners working for the summer. Apparently they had some program where a portion of the staff came from the UK and stayed at one of the local colleges and worked at the camp and got paid and their housing taken care of for the whole summer.

soo if you are interested in working temp. in the states you might want to look into summer programs like that.

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Oh yes that is a good idea - I know several people who have worked on those summer camps and had the time of their lives. It is worth looking into!

oh yes, that is a good idea! i'll try to find info on that, im dead excited, i have to do this!

i hadnt thought of doing somthing like that, USA here i come!

Originally Posted by jezmondo69

oh yes, that is a good idea! i'll try to find info on that, im dead excited, i have to do this!

i hadnt thought of doing somthing like that, USA here i come!

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If you want I can PM you the name of the camp I worked at since they have locations all over the states.

Originally Posted by vampcow

If you want I can PM you the name of the camp I worked at since they have locations all over the states.

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PM sent, and thanks!

Originally Posted by jezmondo69

well what can i say, thanks thats pretty informative!

maybe right what your saying about new england, we have got the quaint craggy thing nailed over here.

i know what you mean about tha car-detroit thing too, but doesnt look so appealing in regard to not getting mugged etc lol.

i need to put some serious thought into this, i think i need a few trips really dont i!

and yes "forensic" warm people is just what i want to meet! so maybe your right with Minnesota/North Dakota/Wisconsin???

oh decissions!

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Naw -you won't get mugged here in Detroit! The crime rep is overrated unless you head into some nasty parts of town... and every major city has them. There is actually quite a good indie music scene here. Not as big as NY or Chicago, but good.

And I actually enjoyed interacting with New Yorkers the last two times I was there. When they saw us standing with a map, turning it this way and that, people were very helpful! I think of Manhattan as a squished together collection of neighborhoods - which it is. And you can get guided tours from locals... hmmm... can't remember the name of the organization... I can find out. TripAdvisor's NYC forum is very good!

In fact, if anyone has a reason to come to Day-twa... look me up. You would get the 25 cent TCS special tour. I know where to go!

That's a dream trip!!!
I've done this tour. Fly into Las Vegas (now that's a fun city), rent some wheels and hit in this order: Zion, Bryce, the north rim of the Grand Canyon, then head through Monument Valley to go up to Canyonlands and Arches (all of these are national parks). There are sights all along the way including Indian reservations, petroglyphs, etc. There are a lot of German tourists that take this route, and they do rent R.V.'s to stay out of hotels. If you go, do this before October when the snows start to hit the north rim. And if you go to the Grand Canyon, you must catch a sunset over the canyon. I sat thru one that was so beautiful that the people around me gave it a standing ovation.

"Breal76" i dunno how long i would be staying for, a few weeks i guess, if i like it i may even move there! i love my country and my people, but i cant help but want to explore!

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Well I agree with a lot people are reccomending. Definately New York, New Orleans, Boston's good too. The Grand Canyon is a fabulous idea. Heck if you're here long enough go see Alaska! I do prefer the Pacific NW. Of course being a native...We have everything, snow, mountains, the coast, rivers, lakes and big cities (Seattle and Portland) oh my!

Whatever you choose to do though I am sure you will have a blast. We have got lots to see here and welcome visitors. Last time I was in Las Vegas I ran into some girls who were English. LOVE the accents! They were really cool and we couldn't help using the term "holiday" with them. Of course,tt might be interesting for you to see the different accents here if you travel to the right places.

Originally Posted by Momofmany

And you should hear the regional accents across the U.S. I once worked with a team of people from Alabama, Florida, Toronto, California, Texas, Tennessee and Chicago (which has a different accent than the rest of Illinois). Talk about entertaining meetings!

You could travel around just to hear the different accents! My favorite: Minnesota accents.

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Californians don't have accents!

Come to California, we have deserts and mountains, and beaches, and big cities. Our people aren't just warm, they're hot. Just kidding.

I have a spot in my for New Mexico. I love the Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands. It's close to Texas, which has the most delicious foods ever. You'll totally be in flavor country and won't want to go back!

Something else to keep in mind is whether you'll be able to drive while you're here. Some cities, like Chicago or New York or Boston, are easy to get around without a car. Others, like LA or Dallas, you pretty much need access to a car in order to get around town.

Come to Texas. Here's info on San Antonio my hometown...http://www.visitsanantonio.com/index.aspx

Wow I didn't realize how small the UK is (please note I live almost in the middle of Texas and it takes depending which way I go 5 to 10 or more hours to get out of the state... )


1346 km aka 836 miles that's like driving from Stratford, TX - near the panhandle (top of the state) to Brownsville, TX (the botton of the state).

Originally Posted by jezmondo69

thats crazy, its 1346km from the top to bottom of the uk! 15 hours and you can drive it!

i know its a big place though over there, i just feel its somthing i gotta do!

im considering selling one of my cars to fund the trip actually, so i can stay a little longer.

this has been keeping me awake thinking about it, i got scratch this itch!

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