United States of America

[Prawn_86]

The United States of America (commonly referred to as the United States, the U.S., the USA, the States or America) is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its forty-eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The state of Alaska is in the northwest of the continent, with Canada to its east and Russia to the west across the Bering Strait. The state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific. The country also possesses several territories, or insular areas, scattered around the Caribbean and Pacific.

At 3.79 million square miles (9.83 million km²) and with more than 300 million people, the United States is the third or fourth largest country by total area, and third largest by land area and by population. The United States is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries. The U.S. economy is the largest national economy in the world, with an estimated 2008 gross domestic product (GDP) of US$14.3 trillion (23% of the world total based on nominal GDP and almost 21% at purchasing power parity).

[darley]

Another great thing about the USA is that there are so many different types of people. I currently reside here. New Jersey, to be exact.

I am often amazed at how different each state is. I live right outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is incredible how urban my area is compared to those of western Pennsylvania. While Philadelphia is a city, with tons of things to do, if you head out west towards Lancaster, PA, all you will find is farm land and various different types of lifestyles. It is just amazing how I cannot live without electricity, but someone eighty miles away has lived without it for their entire life.

[theAdviserMe]

USA is really known as a melting pot of different cultures. There is no defining type of culture for the rest of USA. As the leader of the free world, Americans value the democratic ideas established by our founding fathers.

I love USA. May it continue to spread the values of right democracy to the rest of the world.

[Prawn_86]

I love USA. May it continue to spread the values of right democracy to the rest of the world.

Thats quite a topical issue ;)

Isn't the point of travelling to experience different cultures? Why should other countries push their values upon others?

[kennas]

One strange thing about the US is their hostels.

Firstly, they are full of Americans.

Secondly, they don't allow drinking.

Thirdly, overpriced.

Forthly, they're full of Americans.

Shame they have such a beautiful country.

[EcoTours]

One strange thing about the US is their hostels.

Firstly, they are full of Americans.

Secondly, they don't allow drinking.

Thirdly, overpriced.

Forthly, they're full of Americans.

Shame they have such a beautiful country.

I had to look up what a "hostel" is, we call them "hotels" over here, funny how close the words are. Most of the hotels that I stayed at in the US have bars or at least the ones with bars appeal to me. Granted they generally close at 10pm-1am depending on local laws. Most of the hotels will allow you to bring in your own booze, if not you can sneak it in like you are 16 again.

Hey, if our hotels are full of Americans, where do we make the tourist stay?

Out of interest, how much does a hostel room cost in other countries that you've traveled in? I can drive 10 minutes from my house and pay $45-$200 for a room. The $45 would be worth the money since the police have raids there all of the time.

[kennas]

The US and western Europe are very expensive for hostels, or backpacker accommodation.

In NY and London you pay US$30-60 per night for something without flees, or by the hour.

In SE Asia and Central America, you can find a decent room for US$10.

I lived in Honduras in a basic room for 3 months at US$3 a night.

In regard to the seemingly negative US comments, it was actually inferring that Americans like to travel around their own country more than anything.

You would rarely find an Australian in an Australian hostel. They are full of Poms and Ya Ya's. Love Ya Ya's!! :)

Australians seem to head overseas before they see their own country which is an anomaly.

Not sure if I'm proud of that, or not.... :confused:

[Prawn_86]

Australians seem to head overseas before they see their own country which is an anomaly.

Not sure if I'm proud of that, or not.... :confused:

Yeh i saw some stats a while ago, and cant remember the exact figures but it was >80% of Aussies have a passport, whereas less than 20% of Americans have a passport, which shows that Aussies tend to travel a lot more internationally.

I think its a good things, as you get to experience different cultures. And you see the figures sometimes showing how poor USA citizens are at geography, surely if more travelled this would improve...

[EcoTours]

Up until a couple of years ago we did not need a passport to enter Canada or Mexico so I can understand the low numbers. If you look at the size of the US, Canada and Mexico, that's a ton of square miles to explore without the burden of a passport.

Since most of you folks were born with a passport (kidding) you are use to having one and renewing them when it comes time. For a family of 4 in the US that never had one, the fees $$$ and paperwork is enough to make people say "screw it lets go to Disney World".

[Prawn_86]

DETROIT — Wind gusting more than 60 mph knocked out power to about 413,000 Michigan homes and businesses on Sunday as temperatures dipped back into the 20s and 30s.
Meanwhile, flood warnings were posted throughout the Midwest as temperatures rose after a week of heavy snowfall. Forecasters said flooding was possible in areas of Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan and Indiana.


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,473456,00.html

Has been lots of crazy weather happening in 'the States' from what i have heard...

[Prawn_86]

CAN you get drunk on a flight and then sue the airline for giving you the booze?
A Florida couple is suing United Airlines for "negligently" over-serving alcohol during a flight from Osaka, Japan, to San Francisco



http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,24817396-5014090,00.html

Only in America... :rolleyes:

[oneloverach]

soo true...getting a passport here in the US is ridiculous!

[Prawn_86]

soo true...getting a passport here in the US is ridiculous!

What makes it so difficult Rach?

[oneloverach]

i would say just the time it takes, it usually takes a good 2 months to get one, and then you have a little paperwork that some people are just not willing to take the time to fill out... the time thing is an issue though..especially when people plan a trip and wait till the last minute to get a passport..not a good idea!

[oneloverach]

i have to say though, i'm sure it's alot easier to get a passport here in the US than it is in a lot of other countries.

[EcoTours]

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,24817396-5014090,00.html

Only in America... :rolleyes:

It works, look how the domestic abuse issue is completely mute.

I love to drink while flying so hopefully silly lawsuits do not infringe on my fun.

[INDOVAGANZA]

When you traveling to USA you must visit San Francisco, New York, Chicago, & Florida. You won't regret it :)

[Prawn_86]

AUSTRALIANS planning a trip to the US will need to apply for US Government authorisation to holiday there after January 12.
The mandatory security move, modelled on Australia's electronic visa program, requires travellers to fill out an electronic visa waiver application prior to leaving the country.
The authorisation, which carries no fees, will be valid for two years.



http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,24886743-5014090,00.html

[Prawn_86]

Any NY members here? Saw the plane crash thingo on the news. Lucky everyone is safe...

[Prawn_86]

What do our USA members think of the new Presidenta?

[EcoTours]

What do our USA members think of the new Presidenta? Ask me in 8 years.

[Prawn_86]

RESCUE workers today dug through the wreckage left by a powerful tornado that killed at least eight people as it tore through a small town in Oklahoma.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25043337-401,00.html

[Prawn_86]

Ask me in 8 years.

Isnt the USA president a 4 year term? :confused:

[Prawn_86]

A NEW coffeehouse with a difference has opened in the US with customers getting more than they bargained for.
The Grand View Topless Coffee Shop (http://search.news.com.au/search//0/?us=ndmnews&sid=5014090&as=news&ac=travel&q=Coffee Shop)opened its doors this week to customers in awe at the topless waitresses.


http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25108692-5014090,00.html

[Prawn_86]

Pink dolphin draws in tourists to Lake Calcasieu in Louisiana

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25165588-5014090,00.html

[~kev~]

I can not believe that there is not a thread in here on Texas. So here it is.

Texas has just about everything you would want. From the piney woods of east Texas, all the way to the deserts of west Texas. We have history, we have the Dallas Cowboys, we have the Alamo, and a bunch of US presidents are from Texas.

[Prawn_86]

Welcome to ATF Kev :)

So if one were to visit Texas, how much time would think appropriate to spend there and what would be the 'must see's'?

I have to admit i have always taken an interest in the NFL, however im a Buccaneers fan :p

[chrissylewis03]

hey kev,

it sounds like you know a lot about texas. are you from there or have you just travelled there a bit?

it's a place i would really like to learn more about actually so just as prawn said if you could let us know a few must sees and do's that would be great!

cheers.

[mrburns]

Just got back from Hawaii, great place hot, humid and expensive.
The humidity was a bit much especially while trying to adjust to the time difference.

Honolulu has some of the best hotels I've seen anywhere, right on the beach, the Hawaiian women are gorgeous not that I got anywhere near any of them.

Maui was beautiful and it's easy to understand why the likes of Chris Christofferson, Clint Eastwood, Linda Ronstadt and Willie Nelson have homes there.

Good to be back ? Dunno., I'd like to live in Maui for a while.

[inenigma]

Isnt the USA president a 4 year term? :confused:

4+4 = 8

Presidents can run for a maximum two terms. You have to either a) screw up big time to lose the second term; or b) not cheat well enough. Look what happened to Dole. He got the most votes, but, still lost..... He didn't cheat...

[inenigma]

Site of the 1960 Winter Olympics.

Squaw Valley and Heavenly were my favourites while growing up in San Francisco. Some very good black runs at both resorts. Anyone know what the costs for lift hire are these days ??

[inenigma]

while growing up in San Francisco.

I was slightly too young for the sixties, but, the drugs during the seventies were pretty cool.

Maui Wowie
Kona Gold
Purple Sense
Red Sense
Panama Red
(the list goes on... Not that I can remember all of them...)

Then there was the frickin freezing cold surf just south of San Francisco. I actually grew up first in Daly City then in a place called Pacifica from the age of 9. San Francisco had it's good places and it's undesirable places. I haven't been there for close on 30 years now, so can't comment on how safe or otherwise it currently is.

[Prawn_86]

Gday inenigma,

Good to have a member on board who has spent a fair bit of time in the old USA. I watched the doco obout Hunter S Thompson and he was in San Fran around that time with all the big peace movements and the like. Can you remember any of that or a bit too young?

[rosbar]

Hi, I am not sure what to do so please bear with me.
I would like advice about New York.
we will arrive there on the 28th of June and we would like to do a trip that encompasses Niagara falls, Washington and back for two days in NY
I can find lots of names on the net but would like someone to reccomend a company and a hotel that they have used and were please with
anyone???

[kennas]

Wow, pretty wide range out there on hotels and tours etc.

How many stars are you willing to buy for hotel as a start?

[Gracevillegirl]

If you're simply looking for a great place to stay in New York, I can thoroughly recommend Hampton Inn Times Square North. It is very well located, reasonably priced and the staff are very, very helpful. It's Central to everything.

Hi, I am not sure what to do so please bear with me.
I would like advice about New York.
we will arrive there on the 28th of June and we would like to do a trip that encompasses Niagara falls, Washington and back for two days in NY
I can find lots of names on the net but would like someone to reccomend a company and a hotel that they have used and were please with
anyone???

[inenigma]

we will arrive there on the 28th of June and we would like to do a trip that encompasses Niagara falls, Washington and back for two days in NY

If you're going to Niagara Falls, I would definitely go to the Canadian side (not sure if you'll need a visa) as they have the Horseshoe Falls (much prettier) and I would recommend going on "Maid of the Mist" (it's a ferry that goes fairly close to the base of the Canadian Falls). Though, I must admit, I prefer the Falls in the middle of winter when everything is frozen, but, I realize that winter doesn't make for a good summer holiday......

[inenigma]

Can you remember any of that or a bit too young?

Too young !! I started partying in the late seventies.....

[MRC & Co]

Wasn't sure if this is the right area to post this, but here goes.......

I'm thinking of going for a trip to the States, spending the majority of the time in Chicago and perhaps doing some trading there while I'm at it......

Has anyone been there before and what were your experiences? It looks like a 'cool' city to me, a lot of culture, it's own unique sense of style, great architecture, of course, CBOT and CME, and I cannot forget to mention the legendary Chicago Bulls who I would definately try to get tickets too as well as visit a play or two while I was there considering it appears a place for the performing arts.

Anymore useful information on the City or just what it's generally like?

Thanks

[Mitch]

Hey - almost any city in the USA is an experience - melting pots of the best and worst of the place. The energy over there is great - Portland, Oregon is a place that more Aussies should get up to if they have the chance, love that place. Cheers..

[Tooki]

I was thinking of going through the US in the next couple of years. I'm thinking the West Coast for now. I was thinking of starting up in Seattle (or even Vancouver) & working my way down to LA/San Diego.

I hear Portland, Oregon is great but is their anywhere else worth spending time in?

Cheers

[EverNothing]

I take it we're talking about a road trip Tooki? It's the ONLY way to journey around the States in style. Australia = plane, Europe = train, Middle East = bus, Yankeeland = car. I plan on retiring myself in another 35 years and drive around Amercia in VW Bus, picking up hitchhikers, dropping off hookers, haha. :p

Anyway. A few memorable sights and places to visit and see, huh? Well, obviously the biggie is Vegas as far as cities go. Some decent attractions might be Mt. Saint Helens (Washington), Crater Lake (Oregon), and Death Valley (California). And then you have the Grand Cayon and the Hoover Dam and Hollywood of course.

[Prawn_86]

Anyone have any thought/opinions on the on-going BP oil spill off the Louisina coast?

Personally i think it has not recieved anywhere enough media attention, seems to be covered up, when up to 100k litres of oil per day are flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.

[inenigma]

Brother-in-law has just returned from Hols in the States.... The thing he'll never forget is getting to see some severely disturbed bloke blow his own brains out in front of him, his wife and 8 year old son......

Some sights you can do without seeing.....

[mariusik]

Mount Saint Helens is one of the great attractions in US . I loved it and i would recommend it to everyone . Grand Canyon and Death Valley are also my favourites

[jamec9869]

Just got back from Hawaii, great place hot, humid and expensive.
The humidity was a bit much especially while trying to adjust to the time difference.

[Prawn_86]

Just got back from Hawaii, great place hot, humid and expensive.
The humidity was a bit much especially while trying to adjust to the time difference.

What would you say would be the must do's of Hawaii? I have always thought of it as a very touristy area, but those that go say if you get off the tourist path it's quite good

[pradap]

I am often amazed at how different each state is. I live right outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is incredible how urban my area is compared to those of western Pennsylvania. While Philadelphia is a city, with tons of things to do, if you head out west towards Lancaster, PA, all you will find is farm land and various different types of lifestyles. It is just amazing how I cannot live without electricity, but someone eighty miles away has lived without it for their entire life.
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[TPKW30]

My partner & I are travelling to LA in the beginning of May - We are booked to stay for ten days.
We will be arriving on a Friday (6am), so the plan is to spend a couple of days in LA, the only definite "must do" is Universal Studios, then renting a car & driving to Vegas, with a day trip planned to the Grand Canyon sky walk, and perhaps a shorter trip to hoover Dam..
My partner wants to at least walk into every casino in vegas :) :)
My questions are (excuse my ignorance)

1/ Should I rent a car from LAX on arrival, and keep it the full ten days??

2/ Any advise on where to stay in LA (nothing under 3 star??) & vegas?

3/ I am 48 years old - I have an unblemished Australian driving record -
will I be able to drive in LA safely to get to vegas or are buses the answer?
(Last year I drove from Rome to Milan over 5 days & was poohing myself almost every km, but with no mishaps - I adapted quickly to Italian driving :) )

4/ I have never been to the US before - is it as easy to get killed/mugged etc as they make it out to be on tv?

5/ Is there a "boundary" in LA, Vegas etc that is a "no go zone" no matter what?? (eg - don't go past x street in the north, x street in the south etc)

6/ With the Aussie dollar at such a high, do I go to my local bank & convert $$$'s now, or just use the ATM in the US?

Thanks in advance to any help given & I'm sure I will be asking lots more before May comes around.

Cheers, Theo.

[cymbolz]

Hi Theo,

I've been to LA only once before (briefly) but am planning a big US trip for May-June this year so I'll share some of my thoughts/findings with you.

There are plenty of resources out there so use them to you advantage (eg TripAdvisor, Virtual Tourist and simple google searches for any questions you have).

When in LA, see if you can visit Santa Monica also - nice place to spend a few hours. You might want to do Hollywood (walk of fame) so you can tick that box, but don't get too excited as there isn't much there. I enjoyed Universal when I visited.

For your other questions:

1) Rent a car?

You can either fly to Vegas and rent a car there (South West have very cheap flights) or hire a car for your full stay from LA. If you want to get around LA a car is a good idea, although I did it with public transport last visit (I stayed in Hollywood, go to Universal by train, Santa Monica by bus, Staples Center by train). Be aware the traffic in LA can be bad at all times of the day/night.

I’m looking at using Alamo to rent cars on my next trip (used them before without too many issues). The biggest problem for us Aussies is the insurance (or lack of). I believe US citizens are covered for rental car insurance by their own car insurance policy. Anyone else would need to pay extra for collision damage and liability (note, they don’t have ‘excess’ like we do). When I use the Alamo website and select my residency as Australia, it quotes very good prices and includes both those insurances I mentioned. When I use other sites (other car rental companies, or general travel sites) it quotes good prices but excludes the insurances I would want/need.

2) Where to stay in LA?

I stayed in Hollywood last time (Days Inn on Sunset Blvd). But won’t stay there again, but of a crap hole. I’d avoid downtown, so your options are something like Santa Monica or Venice beach, or Hollywood (and even something near Universal). Note that a 3 star in the US is very good. Also note that accommodation is on the more expensive side. Again do research – plenty of sites with reviews and allowing you to search best prices.

3) Drive in LA?

No idea, I haven’t driven in LA myself and don’t know what you are like as a driver. I’d imagine LA is not the best US city to adapt to driving if you think it’ll take some time to get used to.

I did drive in Chicago without any issues, only takes a few minutes to get used to the right-side of the road concept. Just take it easy, and be aware that in some/most states you can right turn (our equivalent is left turn) on a red signal.

4) Easy to get mugged / killed?

Yes, if you want to. Also easy to not get mugged, killed. There are many things you can do to protect yourself – good habits to keep/hide valuables, areas to not visit.

5) Boundaries for no-go?

In general the tourist areas are the safest. In LA I don’t believe the east of downtown is a desirable location (or parts of it). Not sure about Vegas. Do some research (google, trip advisor)

6) Money

Converting now is not a bad idea, but who knows what the currency would do. Avoid currency conversion at the airports (rip off). Be aware of what your bank offers, what fees and conversion rates they use - call them to discuss. I’d avoid travel cars as they are also a rip off.

Take a look at the GE 28 degrees credit card – no foreign conversion fees, very good exchange rates. You can use it like a debit/ATM card by pre-loading credit onto it (to avoid cash advance interest charges). There are a few discussions/blogs on this, do a google search. I’m not sure what my backup will be yet, maybe travellers cheques. I’ve also heard the NAB gold account (not sure exactly which one) is good for getting access to money.

Well, I hope that helps you. As I’m still planning my trip I don’t have the best answers to everything, but more than happy to share more details and thoughts if you have further questions.

Matt

PS I've posted a few questions on this forum myself, and did get a lot of answers. I suspect the audience here may be more oriented towards Aussie travel :) I use trip advisor forums and get responses from people who live in the US...very useful.

[TPKW30]

Thank you very much for all the good advise - it is greatly appreciated.

[ziggy]

I am travelling with my wife and two teenage kids(13 and 15) to New York in December. We plan to stay one week, want to stay as centrally as possible in a safe environment, and have a budget for accomodation of about $120 AUD per night. Happy to consider self contained apartments. Can anyone give me a recommendation. cheers

[lebrony]

Heard good things about Brooklyn vacation apartments from a close friend. You can check these out if these are within your budget.

[Godi46]

I found hotels to be really cheap in the USA!

[RyanUs]

Hi.
This is really nice post. USA is a melting point of cultures. Everyone in this country is safe and feels proud on this country.
Thanks