Thorn Tree travel forum

USA branch FAQ

This branch covers: Mainland USA, Hawaii & Alaska

So many posts request the impossible - that a bunch of people who have never met you magically intuit how much you have to spend and what will make you happy on vacation, generally planning out your route for three months and helping you get discount flight reservations.

So, what can you do to get great travel advice?

1. Do your homework
The web is filled with basic information like how far it is from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, or how to get from JFK to Manhattan (all major US airports have websites with transit info). Google is your best friend. See the list of indispensable sites below. Get your basic info first, then you can ask intelligent questions on the TT and pick the brains of the many knowledgeable locals who frequent this site just hoping someone will ask about a romantic B&B in New Orleans or a baseball g... more »

LAX to Sherman Oaks- on Thanksgiving!

Hi guys,

Two of us are arriving in california at LAX on Thanksgiving at about 9pm at night. Can anyone suggest a good way to get to a private address? We have looked into shuttles but most are about $45 US dollars!! But we are thinking maybe it is better to book as we dont want to be stuck on Thanksgiivng evening! Any help much appreicated.

The address (incase it helps) is Moorpark Street Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Thank you!

Great Salt Lake questions

Is the spiral jetty still dry?

What is the nicest beach on the lake for swimming, and has deep water? How is the state park beach right off I-80?

Does it ever freeze over?

Downtown Vegas Hotels: noise from Fremont Experience

My wife and I plan on spending one or two nights in Las Vegas just after Xmas, on our way to the Grand Canyon and a couple of historic towns in Nevada, and are thinking of staying downtown for the first time. We have been downtown, but only during the day. Considering the Golden Nugget, Four Queens, and Fremont. Several reviews of these and other downtown hotels mention the noise from the Fremont Experience, especially from rooms closest to the F.E. Some reviews mention certain rooms being a little less noisy (e.g., South Tower of the Four Quees), though preferences like this are often not guaranteed. I could not get through to the 4 Queens by phone. I called the Nugget and they said the less expensive Carson Tower rooms were further form the F.E. than are the Gold Tower rooms, but one review of Carson Tower rooms mentioned the noise. We would like to be close to the Experience,... more »

4 days in San Francisco

people :)
Heading from Denver to visit my newly placed sis in SF and struggling to narrow down what to do on a budget. Thurs and fri are around the city, and the weekend we want to head to wine areas and elsewhere, have a car for 2 days. want to pack it all in! thoughts MOST appreciated! plus good bars/brunch/dinner places!
thanks so much
emily

Things to do in NY

I've been trying to plan some fun activities to do in NYC in the future. And in my search I found this interesting Cirque Du Soleil video (http://video.msg.com/Videos/MSG-Networks/qi3DJow_yJBoFuxA3FdxjFndKQRfUrVP) and I'm wondering If anyone here has seen this or anything like it?? I'm debating whether I should buy tickets or not.

Other fun Idea suggestions would be great too

Family vaca in VERMONT Dec/Jan - best area?

Hi all,

My family and I are planning to spend Christmas & New Years 2010 in Vermont. I’m planning the trip for my parents so I thought I’d turn to the knowledgeable LP community for help.

We’ll be leaving NYC on Christmas day and coming back Jan 2nd so my brother can take a return flight back to school. We’re booking a resort/hotel through RCI. Here’s a link to the RCI website resort directory:
http://www.rci.com/RCI/RCIW/RCIW_index?body=RCIW_rdMain
My parents don’t want to drive too far so I’m only considering Killington and lower -- incl: Rutland, Brownsville, Ludlow, Stratton Mt., West Dover, and Wilmington as these areas are where the RCI resort/hotels are. We are looking to do skiing/snowboarding, good (affordable) restaurants, and just basically getting away from city life.
I realize VT is going to be swarming this time of year but…

-Which area would you recommen... more »

New York Pictures

Hello,

I've just updated my website with the pics of the trip I did in NY last May.
If u want to see them this is the link:
http://digilander.libero.it/marco.pagano/

I hope u like them.
Cheers,
Renton

NYC Helicopter ride

I'm going to NYC for the first time ever for my birthday weekend at start of December and am soooo excited.
I'm going with my Dad (long story - but he's one cool dude) and he's now said how he'd love a helicopter ride over the city. I'm up for it (done 2 before and on one of those jumped out at 13,000 ft = wow), so can anyone recommend a decent company at a fair price, and any offers or deals that migt be on?
Thank you,
Holly