USA- Interesting cities to visit ?

[Antoallison]

I am a first time traveller to the US and will be holidaying in Washington in August, then travelling over a week to Seattle.

Just wondering if I fly with a couple of short internal flights (and/or slow Amtrak train, coach) which cities are really worth a visit on the way from East to West coast.

Looking at the map:

Baltimore, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago or Minneapolis.

I like historical things, boat trips- being near water and I believe the architecture in Chicago is great.. but after Washington I may be all museum- ed out !

 

[DC3]

It's difficult to know where to start with this.

There's so many amazing places. New York, Boston, Chicago, Miami, New Orleans, San Diego, Seattle (which you have mentioned), Las Vegas and heaps more. Also National Parks: Including Yosemite and Yellowstone (huge and beautiful). It depend upon your interests, I guess.

I would give the bus a miss, for all sorts of reasons. It's for the desperate, really. Nothing comparable to Oz. Fly and rent a vehicle.

Edit: Do you have a spare month or two?

 

[russ]

As mentioned above, I'd never catch a long distance bus in the USA. Airfares are pretty cheap.

The cities you mention are quite different. What are your interests?

Do you know anyone in the USA? A "local" experience is quite different to a "tourist" experience.

 

[Antoallison]

As mentioned above, I'd never catch a long distance bus in the USA. Airfares are pretty cheap.

The cities you mention are quite different. What are your interests?

Do you know anyone in the USA? A "local" experience is quite different to a "tourist" experience.

Yes I am staying in Washington, DC for 2 weeks with friend and then final destination will be another friend in Seattle - so those cities taken care of.

I just wanted another perspective on what cities are top of the list - but I figure that they must be in the general direction of my final destination Seattle - so not flying down to Miami or New Orleans but North and East of Washington.

Thanks for the heads up _ I get that bus travel will be like Greyhound here in Oz - you take your chances sitting next to someone dodgy for a long time, in a cramped space with food breaks at greasy spoon cafes.

 

[Antoallison]

Vegas, San Fran, and possibly New York will have to be saved for a longer trip in 2017, now I have all the time in the world - called RETIREMENT ! Yeah .

Just really need to fill a week between 25th August - 31st August with cities that have areas of interest that I can access on foot or with local metro transport, and that are relatively safe for a solo female traveller.

 

[DaveB]

Love the country, not a big fan of most of the US cities away from the north east. The many large towns another matter though will need a hire car and lengthy drive days
If looking to spend around a week sticking to the US, would consider either flying into San Fran or Portland. Otherwise BC is a very easy add on when going to Seattle with Banff/Lake Louise a must flying in from Calgary and Vancouver and island. You could splurge and get a rocky mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver/Seattle in two to three days.

 

[dajop]

I know you're planning a longer trip next year , but even then hard to not recommend a couple of days as a teaser for New York!

Aside from that, I'd recommend Chicago and/or New Orleans. The former for great architecture, a vibrant city and lakeside setting, whilst New Orleans gives a more different take on the US - and in particular the southern culture.

As for buses - not so good for long distances but over short distances the new breed of coach companies, such as Megabus, are not that bad.

 

[exceladdict]

I loved Portland, not exactly on the way for you, but I'd totally go there again on my next visit.

If you end up in Texas, check out Fort Worth too!

 

[Antoallison]

I know you're planning a longer trip next year , but even then hard to not recommend a couple of days as a teaser for New York!

Aside from that, I'd recommend Chicago and/or New Orleans. The former for great architecture, a vibrant city and lakeside setting, whilst New Orleans gives a more different take on the US - and in particular the southern culture.

As for buses - not so good for long distances but over short distances the new breed of coach companies, such as Megabus, are not that bad.

Thanks you are right about NY.. It would feel odd telling friends in Oz that I spent 4-5 weeks in the US without going. How could I be a short train ride away in Washington for 2 weeks and not venture up to the Big Apple .. So that is locked in.
I am now convinced Chicago is a must see.

I am sure there must be smaller coach companies that do trips in different areas so that I can see beyond the CBD of cities.

i don't really fancy hiring a car and using a sat nav on US (drive on the wrong side) roads by myself.

 

[TomVexille]

Do one of the architecture river cruises while in Chicago

 

[Antoallison]

I loved Portland, not exactly on the way for you, but I'd totally go there again on my next visit.

If you end up in Texas, check out Fort Worth too!

I will be in Federal Way, Seattle for a week so I think Portland is an easy day out .. Books galore is it ?

 

[dajop]

i don't really fancy hiring a car and using a sat nav on US (drive on the wrong side) roads by myself.

I found driving on the east and west coasts pretty aggressive, couple that with being on the wrong side it can get quite stressful. However in the middle of the US, is less of an issue. Having said that, my first ever experience of driving in the US (and indeed anywhere on the wrong side of the road) was a pick up in the middle of Manhattan!

 

[Antoallison]

I found driving on the east and west coasts pretty aggressive, couple that with being on the wrong side it can get quite stressful. However in the middle of the US, is less of an issue. Having said that, my first ever experience of driving in the US (and indeed anywhere on the wrong side of the road) was a pick up in the middle of Manhattan!

A pick up in Manhattan ! Now that sounds classy. Was it to collect all that 5th Avenue shopping ?

 

[Antoallison]

Do one of the architecture river cruises while in Chicago

Thanks Tom.. That sounds like my kinda thing combining architecture and water.
Do you think allowing 2-3 days is sufficient in Chicago ?

 

[exceladdict]

I will be in Federal Way, Seattle for a week so I think Portland is an easy day out .. Books galore is it ?

Oh yes! Just don't take Amtrak. It broke down on us

 

[drron]

You say you have a week between SC and Seattle and are interested in history,architecture and water so my suggestion is a couple of days in Philly-after all it is the birthplace of their independence.Could fly or train it there.
Then fly to Chicago and make sure you see some of the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings.Though my personal favourite is Fallingwater close to Pittsburgh and basically seen on a driving holiday.

 

[dajop]

A pick up in Manhattan ! Now that sounds classy. Was it to collect all that 5th Avenue shopping ?

Haha, not so much when at the time 1 AUD was worth 50c (US)! Actually picked the car up to drive down to Washington, the Manhattan bit was easy. Freeways were very aggressive.

 

[Skyring]

Yeah. Chicago for sure. Add another thumbs up for the architecture boat cruise. Enjoyed it immensely. Likewise some of the FLW houses. His house and studio in Oak Park is a gem.

Maybe hire a car and so some Route 66. It begins near the Art Institute and has some excellent driving and hokey attractions once you get out of town. The Gemini Giant, for example.

Go out past the Aquarium and look back at the city skyline. Awesome.

There's really not much else in between there and Seattle that's anywhere near as concentrated. St Louis is the Arch and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Kansas City is a library and the Plaza district - though it also has a superb WWI museum. I love the Midwest dearly, but you really need a car and a few weeks to do more than scratch the surface.

Might as well have a look at New York while you are there. Take the Staten Island ferry for an excellent view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Walk the High Line. Say hello to my mate Rusty Peters who lives near Strawberry Fields in Central Park. Brows through the Strand Bookshop, and eat a monster sandwich at the Carnegie Deli.