America tips please

[(RIP) sherpa]

Right then we're off to America in 5 days time for our first visit.

Flying into Sanford Orlando, picking up a car and heading off.
Not bothered about the theme parks but realistically we'll probably visit South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi so what should we try and see please?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Sherpa

 

[Taff]

If you make it across to Texas, you could spend hours in the Sixth Floor museum on Elm Street, Dallas. The whole floor of the building is now a museum and was part of the building Oswald worked in when he allegedly shot John F. Kennedy in 1963. I went there 10 years ago, and it was definately the highlite of our trip to Texas - even the wife thought it was good.

Apart from that, there wasn't much else to recommend in Dallas.

 

[Sir James]

Right then we're off to America in 5 days time for our first visit.

Flying into Sanford Orlando, picking up a car and heading off.
Not bothered about the theme parks but realistically we'll probably visit South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi so what should we try and see please?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Sherpa

You could just go to Australia instead , it's a far better place , there just English who don't agree with political correctness . But be safe in the US as more storms are forcast .

 

[sjwb]

Must go to Savannah; all of the squares, Clarey's diner, take a bus tour, Moon River brewery / pub on East Bay St. I could go on. Oh and Tybee Island for the beaches and views.
Have a nice day!

 

[Cheesy Mike]

Tips? 15% typical, 20% if the service is really good. Easy way to calculate in most places is to double the sales tax.

I love the Carolinas, but I'm biased because I have family there.

If you get to the low country (i.e. coast) in South Carolina go to Charleston. It is a spectacular city with some beautiful architecture and great restaurants. My favourite, a bit expensive unfortunately, is High Cotton. There is another much cheaper restaurant immediately opposite which is just as good and (from memory) is owned by the same people. For a special night get picked up at the restaurant by one of the town's horse drawn carriages and go for a ride around to see the old colonial architecture. Head north over the brand new bridge to Mount Pleasant and go check out any of the fish restuarants at Shem Creek.

Take a look at this map (North is to the left) - http://maps.google.com/maps?q=mt+pl...22,-79.902921&spn=0.022482,0.050269&t=h&hl=en
Shem Creek is at the bottom right where 703 crosses the little creek. The big ship in the centre is a US aircraft carrier at Patriot Point. Well worth a visit. On the far left, back in Charleston, is the Maritime Centre - a nice aquarium if you are into that sort of thing. Finally, if you do go you might notice that the bridges aren't there any more. They are in the process of destroying them having just build a new bridge a little more inland (not on google earth yet)

South of Charleston and also worth a visit is Hilton Head island. This is a holiday restort which will have lots of cheap out-of-season accomodation. It is a really relaxing place and there is an outlet mall if that rings your bell.
http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/index.html

In the high country do the Blue Ridge Parkway starting from near Asheville/Spartanburg and taking you right down into Georgia.
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/default.htm

Enjoy - I'm jealous.

Mike

 

[Tim Cullis]

BMW factory tour and museum: http://www.bmwzentrum.com/
mainly cars, but some bikes

BMW Performance Center: http://www.bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/PerformanceCenter/school

Border of Carolinas/Tenessee: Deal's Gap and The Dragon (300+ bends in 11 miles) which leads on to Cheesy Mike's suggestion, the Blue Ridge Parkway: http://www.zroadster.net/tim/drives/hc01.html (and following pages) plus http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

Dollywood (it's actually quite good): http://www.dollywood.com/
Pigeon Forge outlet stores--four sites, some 300+ stores in total, are close by.

Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame: http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/
(sorry about the music on this link; but the museum is fabulous)

Stone Mountain: http://www.stonemountainpark.com/

Tim

 

[sjwb]

Thouroughly concur with Cheesy especially the Blue Ridge. I tried to keep it local because there is nothing worse than going everywhere and seeing nowhere
Cheesy,
Have you been to the Outer Banks from Ocracoke up to Kittyhawk? A two and a half hour ferry ride for $10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Try than P&O or IOM Steam Racket Co.
Pigeon Forge is the second worst place on earth, the first being Cherokee

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

You could just go to Australia instead , it's a far better place , there just English who don't agree with political correctness

couldn't have put it better myself

 

[Sir James]

You could just go to Australia instead , it's a far better place , there just English who don't agree with political correctness

couldn't have put it better myself

We fly to Melbourne on the 27th of Dec for a New Years Eve party , staying for 7 weeks to go touring , if i see you i'll buy you a Crowny .

 

[alimey4u2]

Right then we're off to America in 5 days time for our first visit.
we'll probably visit South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi so what should we try and see please?

I hope you're white........??.
As it makes a big difference in those States how you are treated. On a positive note... add North Carolina & Virginia to your list. The "colours" (Autumn leaves) will be just about right in about 5 days along the "Blue Rinse Parkway".
If your stopped by the Police at night....switch you interior light on & keep your hands at the 10 & 2 o-clock positions & wait. Don't make any sudden moves to your glove compartment. Be pleasant & use the term "Sir" (not Cur), your accent will help a lot, so play the stoopid tourist role. Trust me .... it has kept me ticket free for 20 years.

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

Thank you all

Some great info there I'm sure

Our plans have changed slightly in that we're flying into New York now so if you can help please do - same sort of plans
Sherpa

 

[Paul Narramore]

Catch a Greyline open-top bus from Times Square - incidentally Times Square has the largest internet cafe in the World, EasyNet, with 600+ terminals - which will take you around Manhattan. There's a guide on board who gives an excellent commentary. You can get on and off whenever you want during the day. Central Park is a must, and visit Strawberry Fields and the nearby Dakota Buildings where John Lennon died. Walk down 5th Avenue and take in the sites. Battery Park and the boat ride to the Statue of Liberty are on the southern tip of Manhattan. About half-a-mile walk from there are a number of ancient sailing ships worth seeing.

I've always found that after a couple of days in NY, my head needs a rest so consider driving up to Boston. The oldest city in the US and very British. Walk up to Bunker Hill, scene of the great battle. Drnk real ale and have a good meal in the Rock Bottom microbrew pub in Stuart Street close to Boston Common. Consider taking a boat ride out to see the humpback whales. Visit the Cheers Bar on Boston Common - every tourist does it at least once - but just generally walk around the place and soak up the atmosphere.

 

[MasterDabber]

Battery Park and the boat ride to the Statue of Liberty are on the southern tip of Manhattan. About half-a-mile walk from there are a number of ancient sailing ships worth seeing.

If you take the boat trip to the Statue of Liberty, you should also go make a visit to Ellis Island .
Apparently, nearly 50% of all Americans can trace their family history to at least one person who entered the US through Ellis Island.

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

ta!

Thanks for the replies so far.

That'll see us a couple of days in New York I guess but we'd like to travel to other States as well - ideas please?

sherpa

 

[Paul Narramore]

Boston is in Massachusetts, and you'll need to drive north east through Connecticut and Maine to get there.

 

[MasterDabber]

Now if you end up in Boston... a couple of recommendations.. although our old expat buddy Commuter should be able to really give you some good guidance.

You take a Duck Tour which is a good way to see the city and good fun as well.

Charlestown Naval Yard is also well worth a visit...

If you like seafood then Legal Seafoods is good and reasonable value.. and there are several of them in Boston... Copley Pace, Prudential Center, Long Wharf, Boston Park Square

 

[Commuter]

Now if you end up in Boston... a couple of recommendations.. although our old expat buddy Commuter should be able to really give you some good guidance.

You take a Duck Tour which is a good way to see the city and good fun as well.

Charlestown Naval Yard is also well worth a visit...

If you like seafood then Legal Seafoods is good and reasonable value.. and there are several of them in Boston... Copley Pace, Prudential Center, Long Wharf, Boston Park Square

If you are in Boston, you can stay for free and have my company!!

Let me know how you get on as Florida is 2 to 3 days away full driving.

In 1993 I drove, Orlando, Atlanta, Memphsis, Nashville, Dallas, Phoenix, San Diego, LA, San Fran, Seattle, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Denver, Chicago, Toronto, Boston, Columbia, Orlando......13 weeks it took.....just some ideas.




Cheers, Nick

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

cool!

If you are in Boston, you can stay for free and have my company!!

Let me know how you get on as Florida is 2 to 3 days away full driving.

In 1993 I drove, Orlando, Atlanta, Memphsis, Nashville, Dallas, Phoenix, San Diego, LA, San Fran, Seattle, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Denver, Chicago, Toronto, Boston, Columbia, Orlando......13 weeks it took.....just some ideas.




Cheers, Nick

Thanks Nick
Couldn't possibly impose on you but we are flying into New York now so Boston is almost a cert'
Would be good to have the option of hooking up with you for a few hours maybe. PM me some contact stuff if you don't mind.

Sherpa

 

[ed again]

I hope you're white........??.
As it makes a big difference in those States how you are treated....

It also makes a differences on how you're treated if you decide to come to Australia

 

[ed again]

You could just go to Australia instead , it's a far better place , there just English who don't agree with political correctness . But be safe in the US as more storms are forcast .

I've also been curious on how people form opinions of places, how long did you live in the US
Ed