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 »

Anchorage mid january

Anything interesting to do/see in Anchorage/Alaska in mid-january. My dream is to see the brown bears fishing salmons but I think january is not a good time:-)

Two quick New York questions

Will be renting a loft in New York for three weeks.

1. If I wanted to stroll art galleries, what's the best street or best cluster of galleries? Where's the art shopping area?

2. I will be at 37th between 9th and 10th, by the GEM Hotel Midtown West/Javits Center/Hudson Yards. Anybody got any good grocer/farmer's market, local eateries and delis or bar recommendations in the area?

Thanks very much!

Traffic on I-95 following a NY Giants game

Thanks to helpful advice on this forum and some further research on my own, I'm going to parking here (Secaucus Junction) during a weekend trip to NYC (from DC) this coming weekend. Seems like a good deal -- much cheaper than parking in Manhattan for the weekend, 15 minutes on the train to Penn Station, and no need to deal with the Lincoln Tunnel.

However, we are planning on departing from this parking lot back to DC around 7-8 pm on Sunday evening. The New York Giants have a 4 pm game at the Meadowlands earlier that day, which means it will be letting out just around then, if not a little earlier. Is I-95 southbound/NJ Turnpike going to be an absolute nightmare at this time? I suppose we can get there a little earlier, before the game ends, in order to beat the traffic. But we'd like to get as much time as... more »

Car Rental Cross US States - any way round the hefty One Way Fee?

Hi there.

Just planning a Road Trip - Phoenix, AZ - Charlotte, NC.
Sept 2010.

Husband and I want to stop en route at the following places

Pearce, AZ (just S of Tucson) - Grapevine Canyon Cattle Ranch for 4 nights .... then the road trip begins...

via El Paso, Odessa & Dallas, TX
Then Jackson, MS onto Atlanta, GA finishing up in Charlotte, NC.

We have rented cars in the US before - but always a return drop off.

This is a one way trip and we are astounded at the Hefty One Way Drop Off Fees the nationals and many independents offer.
We understand that it's a fair way and cost to get a car back to it's place of origin, but for the big boys to chaqrge this too - when they are in all states / near airports seems a bit steep.

Does anyone have any companies they can reccomend in the US (Based in Phx & Charlotte) that do not have this fee.

Or

Is it poss... more »

Lone travelling in the Deep South - any advice?

Hello! I was wondering how safe it is for a 39 year-old woman to travel alone in Louisiana, Mississipi, Alabama, maybe Tennessee. I would be driving. I am hoping to get out of the tourist route, visit small places, do a bit of people watching, listen to local music, this kind of thing. What do you reckon?
Cheers for any tips!

Looking for activities and accommodation for 3 weeks in Western USA

Hi there!

We are 2 young Aussie girls trying to get some tips for an itinerary for a 3-week trip to Western USA in February 2010. We will be spending the first 4 days in Los Angeles, then are sailing from LA to Mexico and back on a 7 night cruise.

Our plan so far is to then get a train to San Francisco, where we intend to stay for 3 nights. Then we want to head up to Portland for 3 nights via bus to catch some of the countryside. After that, we plan to fly to Las Vegas for the final 3 or 4 nights of the trip.

We'd like to know if anyone around our age (20, 21) has been to San Francisco and Portland recently? If so, is it a cool vibe for young people? We're very keen on Portland, but are not too sure about San Francisco, as we've heard there isn't a whole lot to do there. Does anyone know any cool stuff to do in San Francisco that would make a stop there worthwhile?

Also, ... more »

Advice on area in NY please!

Hi,
just looking for some advice please, myself and my husband are looking to stay in New York over christmas and new years eve. we already had some accomodation booked but we got let down today so am starting to look again. We have found an apt on craigslist on East 57th Street (Lexington Ave and Third Ave). Just wondering can anyone give advice as to whether this is a safe area which is close to amenities? Would you recommend staying here? Thanks!

sedona, AZ-- recommendations for tour companies to grand canyon?

ok,
so my GF has the phoenix-to-sedona route covered, but can anyone give a recommendation for a tour company going from sedona to the grand canyon?

she and her sister (limited english abilities, both in their 50's) simply have to take in a whirlwind trip while out there, and neither of them can drive on their own here in the U.S..... i've looked up a few tour companies, and some seem alright while others seem to have phony-sounding testimonials, but i don't want to rush to judgement on any of them. of course i'm still researching, but if any forum-member has had experience or is familiar with the different companies out there, or heard any traveler-reviews, could you please respond.......
she's looking for comfort and great views, and of course, a great deal!

thanks!