People of America, Canada or Mexico

[Astro]

Hello

I am planning a trip to the US/Canada/Mexico this summer and would like to hear peoples thoughts on the following cities, plz:

Quebec
Montreal
NY
Washinton DC
Charlotte
Atlanta
New Orleans
-Mexico near the US border - my map aint so good for here
LA
San Francisco
Seattle
Chicago
Cincinnati

Thank you

 

[KillerMuffin]

Put Monterey, CA on your list. It's utterly wonderful to visit there. Take your finger down Highway one from San Francisco. Pebble Beach, Cannery Row, Big Sur.

If you can swing it, Anchorage, Alaska is a cool place to visit. The problem is that everyone else thinks so, too so if you don't reserve a room with your credit card then you won't be sleeping indoors.

Sandy Eggo is lovely, too. They've got a great zoo and the Best Lil' Pornsite on the Web.

Cinncinati? On purpose? Er...okay. (Just joking!)

 

[Guest]

NY- yes, anywhere and everywhere in NY is worth a trip.
Washinton DC- Even if you don't have time for the tourist attractions, there are wonderful shops, restaurants, etc. tucked away in hidden corners.
Charlotte- Lovely area- the mix of city life and small town hospitality.
Atlanta- One of my favorite cities to visit. Lots of character..

You're lucky. You're in for some grand adventures.

 

[JennyOmanHill]

Definitely try for NYC!

You've got to see it at least once in your life! I'm fortunate to be living here now; very expensive, but so alive and exciting!

 

[Mensa]

You will love Quebec City, especially the Lower town. It's the kind of place best enjoyed while walking, however, because it wasn't designed for modern traffic. That's the best way to see most cities, though.

As for Montreal, well, my view of that place is somewhat jaded. I think it looks best while passing through at 120 kph. Others may be more generous.

 

[Astro]

I'm goignto Cincinati because I have a friend there. As for the places I have mentioned they are all linked by rail which is the way I am planning on getting around.

 

[Wiggles]

If your looking for something to do with your friend in Cincinnati, you might want to try the zoo, our art museum, some of the new stuff over in Newport (right across the river) I've heard they have some awesome stuff over there.

You also might want to try Kings Island, Riverbend stadium (the lawn seats, the pavilion seats are for losers! ), I would reccommend NOT going to Coney Island (it sucks).

Clifton, Mt. Adams, and some of the clubs down town are the main night scenes. (Can't really reccommend one, I've only been to Annies, and it was just alright. )

Might want to check out the river front by the new stadium. I want to call it Sawyers point, but I can't remember it's name right now (brain fart).

If you would like something on the wild side you might want to check out Short Vine. It has all the tattoo parlors, Bogarts (concerts), and some trendy little rock shops.

Hope you have lot's of fun!

 

[RawHumor]

Atlanta is pretty unique in that, while it's a big city, it doesn't have a big city atmosphere. The people are really friendly to strangers - I think largely because it seems to be such a melting pot area. Almost everyone I talked to when I was there was originally from somewhere else.

Chicago has a lot to do, but traffic can be a pretty big pain, and you have to watch where you go while you're there.

 

[Texan]

It sounds like an interesting trip. If you are traveling by rail, I hope you have enough time in each city to enjoy it. You are probably aware that rail travel in the U.S. is not nearly as good or as predictable as in Europe. But, in the case of making a "tour", it sounds like an excellent idea. Be aware that in most cities the rail stations are not in the best parts of the cities. You will need to take a taxi (bus travel in many cities is poor) from the rail station to the areas of the city you want to visit. In a few cities, (NY, Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle) the train stations are in the center of much of what you will want to see. In New Orleans, the rail station is not far from the French Quarter, but it is in the WORST part of the city, so don't be fooled by the short walk, take a taxi. (In New Orleans, be sure to take a street car up river on St. Charles Avenue to the Garden District.)

I spend a lot of time in Mexico and love the country. However, the area along the border with the U.S. is the WORST part of Mexico. If you are traveling by rail, you will probably only have stops available at El Paso / Juarez and possibly San Diego / Tiajuana. The Amtrack rail line does not go close enough to the border anywhere else unless you take a side trip from Houston to Brownsville / Matamoros or Laredo / Nuevo Laredo. The Mexican cities of Juarez and Tiajuana can be a real adventure (especially after dark) but if time is in short supply, you will probably enjoy your time in other places more.

Just another thought, the city of Atlanta has a lot to see, but unlike most of your other choices, it is VERY spread out. The downtown area isn't very special. You will need a car to get to the areas of interest. Taxis in Atlanta are very expensive due to the distances you have to travel from one area to the others. There is a local train system in Atlanta called MARTA that might help, but just like the subways in NY and Chicago, be careful after dark. (I like Atlanta, but never think of it as a tourist destination.)

Enjoy your trip, let us know if you need more specific answers.

 

[lavender]

 

[Jimi]

Hello

I am planning a trip to the US/Canada/Mexico this summer and would like to hear peoples thoughts on the following cities, plz

Quebec
Montreal

Québec is a great old city for North America - esp. Lower Town You can do a lot in a little time - it's less than 300,000 pop.

Montréal is big and rude, IMHO - check it out if you want, but be prepared to be treated like you are in Paris

NY
Washinton DC

I'm not a great fan of the Big Apple - but it's a "must-see" if you haven't been to the States.

Even though Washington outside the tourist areas can be dangerous, it is a fabulous place to visit. The Yanks are justifiably proud of their history - and that part of Washington is amazing - Absolutely do NOT miss Lincoln Memorial, and Smithsonian Institution.

Charlotte
Atlanta
New Orleans

All 3 NEAT cities - which will give you 3 totally different flavours of the American South. Drive Down I-75 from Charlotte to Atlanta - stop at Gaffney, SC - their municipal water-tower - right next to Interstate (motorway to you, Mate!) is a giant Peach - reminds me of some of these luscious American ladies' bums...

New Orleans is the almost my fave city in the USA - Le Vieux Carré, or French Quarter is wonderful.

Mexico near the US border - my map aint so good for here
LA

L.A's just BIG - The beach areas - Venice/Newport/Santa Monica & Malibu are cool - but San Diego or Carmel/Monterrey Pen. are where u really should go.

Point Loma park in San Diego overlooks the City, Harbour and Coronado Is. Naval Air Station - FABULOUS!

San Francisco
Seattle

San Francisco is everything it appears to be, and more - GO THERE!

Seattle - too close to Bill Gates
I'm prejudiced - Come North to Vancouver & Victoria in British Columbia - "better bang for your buck" Cleaner, safer cities...

Chicago
Cincinnati

Both neat cities - Chicago's downtown and waterfront parks are great - If you like jazz, go to the Back Room bar on Rush Street

Enjoy, Mate!

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

Montreal - Fantastic, beautiful city. Go to the "old town" to pretend you're in Europe. Great lap dancers.

NY - How much fucking time do you have? Avoid Times Square (historic, but very disney these days, and it's NOT "New York"). Walk around Greenwich Village. Want to have the BEST NYC experience? Take a blanket and food to Central Park. enter at around 80th Street. Go to the Delacourte Theatre. Put down your blanket "in line" for free tickets to Shakespear in the Park that evening. Spend the day eating sandwiches and reading the Times with 2000 crazy New Yorkers, then see some amazing, free, outdoor theatre.

Washinton DC - Start at the Captiol and make your way to the Lincoln Monument. Give yourself six hours. Wear sneakers. It's worth it.

Charlotte - Nice airport.

Atlanta - Avoid Peach Tree Street. If you can.

New Orleans - Hurry up. It's going to be underwater soon.

Mexico near the US border - my map aint so good for here - That's about 1000 miles worth of border. You'll have to be more specific. Best I can say is, dont' drink the water.

LA - Sorry. We're closed for the summer. Repairs.

San Francisco - Two words: Giant Redwoods.

Seattle - The suicide Capital of the world. Bring an umbrella.

Chicago - Looks like New York. If you squint real hard. With your eyes open it just looks like a big ugly city full of Farmers.

Cincinnati - Thier motto is "At least we're not in Kentucky".

 

[Texan]

Re: Re: People of America, Canada or Mexico

Atlanta - Avoid Peach Tree Street. If you can.

Now that's funny.....

 

[Mischka]

How much time do you have alloted for your vacation? Your list of cities traverses a considerable chunk of this continent, and as Texan said, our rail system is a joke.

Since you live in the UK, and you are coming here in the summer, I suggest avoiding the South and Mexico. It's intermittently hot, muggy, hot, humid, hot, and generally unpleasant for those accustomed to milder climes. Oh, and it's hot, too.

NYC and D.C. would be my recommendations for U.S. stops. Great public transportation, and tons to see (ignore lavender - D.C. kicks ass). If you would consider revising your itinerary, the train system connecting NYC, D.C., and all stops in between and around (especially Boston & Philadelphia) is far more reliable than anything to the west.

As an alternate to trains, look into plane tickets. Southwest Airlines flies between Baltimore (near D.C.) and Chicago several times daily, and right now the prices are hard to beat.

 

[Astro]

First off - thank you all for replying:

2) I aint driving
3) i have either 3 or 6 months depending on the Visa I go for I have plenty of time for change - thats y I asked u lot! Train seems to be cheaper and faster than bus. Plane - I have traveled so much by plane - u misss the stuff u fly over
4) I want to see the US - not just tourist - again y I asked u
5) Cincinati - this is a must for me, if I didnt see the rest of the USA this is where I would go - I gave my word.

THANK YOU

 

[ExLimey]

Originally posted by Astro As for the places I have mentioned they are all linked by rail which is the way I am planning on getting around. [/B]

Amtrack is having a little budget/financial trouble right now. They may not be as reliable a mode of transport as you might think.

 

[SexyChele]

Wow! You are going to have a great time, no matter which cities you visit! I really envy you! Okay, well, here is my input, for what it is worth...

NY
Okay, I guess the answer would have to be - ya gotta see it, but for the life of me I still can't figure out exactly why. I think it's one of those "gotta see it, even if you might not like it" places.

Washinton DC
Definitely a "do". You may get a little "museumed" out, but if you are at all interested in American history, this is the place to go. Easy to get around - can walk or take the Metro anywhere.

-Mexico near the US border - my map aint so good for here
Not the best of ideas, though I can understand why you would want to include this on your trip. Border towns in Mexico are truly not the best places to go to get the "flavor" of Mexico. You really do have to go farther into the country. Also, you would need to go to places not on your list (like San Diego), and even from there it would be difficult to access if you aren't driving. If you want to see Mexico, wait for another opportunity, and go further into the country to truly see and experience Mexico!

LA
I live just south of LA. LA is NOT a good city to try to get around using public transportation. We really don't have public transportation! Unless you know some one here who can take some time and show you the city, you will miss alot if you aren't driving. This city was made for "the car", and you don't go far in LA without one. Most of the more interesting sites are located in West LA - Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Venice. But the train station is in downtown, so you are talking quite a cab drive to your destination. If you know some one here, you can have a lot of fun. If not, you will be pretty confined and miss a lot!

San Francisco
Absolute MUST SEE!!! There is no place quite like San Fran! It's the only major city in California that does have something resembling public transportation, and it is easy to get around the city. The trick is - stay in the city. If you stay in the out-laying areas, or across the Bay, you are really limited. San Fran is my favorite city on the West Coast. You would be very close to Monterrey (another MUST see), but you would have to rent a car to get there. Up to you if you wanted to do that for a couple of days. There is enough to keep you busy in the city, though.

Seattle
A nice place, but the last time I was there, it wasn't "fasionable" to go to Seattle. I found it difficult to get around, confusing streets. But then, that was a while ago - hopefully they've made some improvements since then.

If you don't mind, I would highly suggest staying in Boston, even if only for a few days. This city is just beautiful. Lots to do. Very easy to get around. Haven't seen all the cities on the East Coast, as I have the West, but this is my personal favorite. Plus, you would be very close to NY and DC. The train service between these 3 cities is really great!

And another suggestion, if you don't mind. (Sorry, can't resist!) You will find the eastern part of the US is very accessible by train. Cities are not that far apart, and lots of beautiful scenery along the way. Things get very different the further west you go. Cities are very spread out, the scenery at first is great, but becomes very monotonous. (Especially when you get to the "desert" states) Typically, train stations on the East Coast are right in the middle of "hubs". On the west coast, they are usually far from where you want to be and in the worst part of town. Union Station in LA is not far from skid row, with all of its wonders!

I would highly recommend taking the train while on the East Coast (flying between NY and DC is just not practical), but really reconsider taking a plane to get out to the West Coast. When I've talked to people from other countries, they are truly amazed at the size of the US, and just how boring the landscape can be in the "plains states" and the western states. I mean, you got 2 -3 days on a train looking out a window at corn or wheat fields or desert! Unless you bring a thick book you just can't put down, it truly isn't worth the effort. Plus, you will find a plane ticket can cost the same, if not less, than a train ticket. You will arrive at your destination much more quickly, leaving you more time to truly enjoy yourself. (Well, that is, unless you like corn fields, wheat fields, or desert!)

But most of all, just have a great time!