American Tour

[Andronicus]

Hey all Americans! Or, you know, people who've been to America. It's all good.

I was thinking of planning a trip to America at some point in the future, and I'm just starting to make a list of all the stuff I want to do/go. I was hoping I could get some tips for places to visit, or things to do.

I don't want to just do the whole tourist things and visit the usual stuff, like the Grand Canyon and the statue of liberty; I mean, some of those would be nice, but I was hoping to keep away from cities as much as possible, and see more of the natural landscape, rather than man-made landmarks, and hopefully nothing too cheesy.

The sort of things I already have are stuff like Zion and Yellowstone, Rocky mountains, visit the last American frontier (what's left of it), go up the Mississippi in a canoe (they have paddle steamers, but I reckon that sounds like rubbish), visit the Smithsonian, see tornado alley, that sort of stuff. They all sound a bit touristy already, but that's sort of why I'm here. I was hoping I could get some advice for some more... off-the-map kind of destinations. Even just simple things as well, like eat a Key Lime Pie in Florida, little experiences like that. If nothing else, places to avoid like the plague would be welcome advice too.

I'm not going to try and tie myself down to any specific places yet, so anywhere in America is kinda fair game at the moment, except maybe Alaska and Hawaii; I'm going to try and keep it to the mainland.

Any tips?

 

[bizentine]

If you head to the grand canyon, you definitely want to hit a nearby town called Williams. it's a little nothing tourist town with some of the best food you'll ever eat. Specifically Dahli Thai (or something like that, I haven't been in a bit) and Pablo Mugillicuddy's (it's an Irish-Mexican food restaurant thats as good as it is weird).
I highly recommend hitting the grand canyon, but try to stay away from the crowded trails and you'll get much better views.

Niagra falls is also SPECTACULAR and i suggest visiting it once at night and once during the day, it's like seeing two completely different natural wonders (less natural at night with the installed lights, now, but still)

Last but not least is Monument Valley in Utah. Its absolutely breathtaking and I will never understand why more people don't go there. It also happens to be pretty near to a REALLY neat dinosaur museum if that's your thing.

 

[Andronicus]

Last but not least is Monument Valley in Utah. Its absolutely breathtaking and I will never understand why more people don't go there. It also happens to be pretty near to a REALLY neat dinosaur museum if that's your thing.

Ah, should have mentioned Monument Valley; that one's actually in my list too. Saw it on documentary a while ago. Come to think of it, I reckon Monument Valley is the place that seriously got me considering an American tour.

I've got most of northern and central America listed mentally listed; I haven't really got anything specific, but pretty much just "Colorado, Utah, Nth Sth Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas". Like I said, I've got a lot more research to do, but I always imagined that those are where all the really beautiful parts of the states are, no offence intended if that's incorrect.

 

[Acier]

If you find yourself in the deep south, I would check out The New Orleans area, Obviously visiting the french quarter and eating all the delicious food and jazz. Atlanta, Georgia is a pretty cool city as well, I am particularly fond of Little Five Points and East Atlanta Village, and Druid Hills is nice as well. If you're into Academia, you can go to Emory University's libraries and look at their collections as well as the Art museum on campus. You can also go to Savannah Ga, for the costal feel and go to some of the coastal islands, I think there are some Gullah/Geechee markets to check out in those areas too, but it might be hard to understand their dialect for you. It's hard for a lot of Americans.

If you get down to Florida, I recommend visiting St. Augustine. A lovely place, and the oldest city in the US so it has a lot of cool places to visit. I don't know about the Atlantic coast as I come from the Gulf coast, But depending on what time of year you visit, you should check out Gasparilla if you're in the area. Everglades/Alligator Alley is fun for nature enthusiasts. And the Keys are gorgeous and relaxing. And, you can be sure, Key Lime Pie from the Keys is AMAZING. I'm a bit of a expert on Key lime pie.

Also, even though my hipster side will be showing be recommending this travel show, it finds the quirkier sides of major cities it goes to. Unfortunately, Young, Broke, and Beautiful shows on IFC which is a premium channel, so finding full episodes online for free will be a *****, however you can buy the episodes for just the cities you plan on visitng on Amazon and there are little blurbs on the episode guide giving the names of some of the places he visits and things he does.

http://www.ifc.com/young-broke-beautiful/episode-guide/

hope that helps

 

[Andronicus]

Snip

Thanks for the great advice. I've made a note, and give them due consideration.

I haven't given much thought to how long the trip will take, and I doubt I'll be able to cover the entirety of America, but so far, Florida, Utah, Nevada and Colorado are the four states that are on my "must visit" list, meaning that if I can't actually get a chance to see them, I won't even bother. Seeing as Florida is right next to Georgia, there's a good chance I'll at the very least be passing through, so it's good to have some advice for there as well.

I was actually hoping to avoid any major cities as best I could; the trip is mainly to see the natural side of America, rather than cultural or heavily populated parts. But I doubt I'll be able to avoid them completely, and it's probably good that I get some advice about the right places in a few cities as well. Also, I like jazz.

 

[Acier]

Snip

Thanks for the great advice. I've made a note, and give them due consideration.

I haven't given much thought to how long the trip will take, and I doubt I'll be able to cover the entirety of America, but so far, Florida, Utah, Nevada and Colorado are the four states that are on my "must visit" list, meaning that if I can't actually get a chance to see them, I won't even bother. Seeing as Florida is right next to Georgia, there's a good chance I'll at the very least be passing through, so it's good to have some advice for there as well.

I was actually hoping to avoid any major cities as best I could; the trip is mainly to see the natural side of America, rather than cultural or heavily populated parts. But I doubt I'll be able to avoid them completely, and it's probably good that I get some advice about the right places in a few cities as well. Also, I like jazz.

Ah, well I've heard there's some good camping and hiking in GA, and the small town I live in at present is darling (very stereotypical small southern town in all the good ways). Since you're more interesting in the natural side I can throw out a few more Florida suggestions. Exploring the Mangrove forests, go snorkeling (the further south the more tropical the fish can get, though I saw dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, etc etc and I was only about half way down) I think you can walk on the mud flats as well.

 

[bizentine]

Last but not least is Monument Valley in Utah. Its absolutely breathtaking and I will never understand why more people don't go there. It also happens to be pretty near to a REALLY neat dinosaur museum if that's your thing.

Ah, should have mentioned Monument Valley; that one's actually in my list too. Saw it on documentary a while ago. Come to think of it, I reckon Monument Valley is the place that seriously got me considering an American tour.

I've got most of northern and central America listed mentally listed; I haven't really got anything specific, but pretty much just "Colorado, Utah, Nth Sth Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas". Like I said, I've got a lot more research to do, but I always imagined that those are where all the really beautiful parts of the states are, no offence intended if that's incorrect.

You should definitely hit northern Arizona. There's nothing like it.

 

[Episode42]

Just a thought, but how about Devils Tower [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devils_Tower_National_Monument] in Wyoming.
Can't say i've been there myself, but it's an impressive looking sight.
It's certainly somewhere i'd want to go.

Anyways sounds like you'll have a hell of a time no matter where you go

 

[dmase]

If you go to the right places in west virginia you'll have the funnest time and see some great natural landscapes. Half of the state is a pretty close to a trash heap from the coal mine's and lax dumping laws in most counties. Then you get to the top of the hills or mountains and its like woah. I really like walking along the shaved mountains 100's of feet above railroad tracks. Climbing off the beaten path is really fun but just like any climbing it can be dangerous.

Everybody wants to visit the grand canyon which is a bit touristy. If you do go to NY or it would be a quick hop and a skip over to Niagara falls. The beach's in California, you can dive with sharks there. Texas is supposed to have some beautiful country. Or drink a margarita in key west, remember the drinking age is 21.

 

[Sandernista]

Just a thought, but how about Devils Tower [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devils_Tower_National_Monument] in Wyoming.
Can't say i've been there myself, but it's an impressive looking sight.
It's certainly somewhere i'd want to go.

Anyways sounds like you'll have a hell of a time no matter where you go

I second this.

Devils Tower is just insane.

Also! Visit the Badlands, frickin' gorgeous! Big sky country is also amazing, and it can be pretty scary.

 

[Zorak the Mantis]

Check out the Adirondacks in New York State, and the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

 

[sir.rutthed]

Stay away from tornado alley man. I live there, and it's nothing but flat brownness. I'm not even joking, most of the area's been in a drought for years now so nothing grows. As far as places to go, if you're on the Mississippi, for sure hit up some of those cajun resturaunts. That's some damn fine Americana food right there. I don't have any specific places to recommend, but if you're into the bar scene try some good micro brews while you're here. Flying Dog, Dogfish Head and Shiner Bock are my favorites. Stay away from the larger brews though. Corporate American beer sucks balls. Except Sam Adams.