Questions about a US Trip

[Eli]

El Justo:
I plan to be in the NY-DC area most of the time, and if the trip happens it will be in November.

Btw, I'm definitely not going to rent a car unless it's for something special.

Yup! We're just backward people running around in banana leaf skirts in Central and South America.

I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that the US East Coast has more to offer per square mile, civilization wise, than any place in the Americas.

 

[El Justo]

november is a fine time of the year to visit

i think that one of the great things about the north east is that most of the metro areas are located w/in a day's driving/travelling distance from one another.

 

[Eli]

november is a fine time of the year to visit

i think that one of the great things about the north east is that most of the metro areas are located w/in a day's driving/travelling distance from one another.

Which is Reason #1 for picking the Northeast.

 

[Stolen Rutters]

You're willing to drive a whole day between cities? The midwest is for you! From my home near Detroit, you get an interstate to Chicago for a mere 4 and a half hours!! only THREE hours to Cleveland, and 4 and a half hours to Toronto, not counting the border crossing time (make sure your visas are lined up if you need them... next year even Americans will need passports to cross that border). Don't forget 4 and a half hours to Indianapolis, and 4 hours to Cincinnatti.

... oh, you meant civilization as in New York and LA and stuff... Well, the midwest has Chicago...

At least lodging is really cheap in the midwest. In November, check out the Thanksgiving parade.

 

[QuoVadisNation]

The price of gasoline should also be a consideration. On the northeast coast, most gasoline prices range around 2.50 per gallon (mertic?), with twenty cents give or take. An Adult One Way ticket from New York Penn Station to Philadelphia cost 20 dollars and fifty cents and a two hour ride. (to find out more, try njtransit.com)

About immersion; the museums, the buildings, the beaches are all nice; but they're all incredibly boring after two or three weeks if you're just a window shopper and going by yourself. Try the local synagogues(yes?), parks, or parades to get a taste of the local populace. Such things are also free

 

[Eli]

About immersion; the museums, the buildings, the beaches are all nice; but they're all incredibly boring after two or three weeks if you're just a window shopper and going by yourself.

Well, the entire trip is going to be 4-6 weeks, so I guess I'll manage.

Does anyone has any experience with hostels in NY, DC and the area?

 

[downtown]

My sister stayed at hostels in DC when she went to visit me. I know of 4...you'll want to stay in the one in Cleveland Park. The other three are on the south side I think, and are not all that safe.

You could stay in a hotel in a place like Rockville though, and just take the metro into the city.

 

[El Justo]

Eli,

don't know too much about them, i'm afraid. however, maybe downtown could expound some more on them.

some locations i'd recommend seeing:
Boston - very, very expensive though and the public transp isn't as good as some of the other metros. lots and lots of history.
NYC - best city on the planet imo. so much to see & do it's dizzying
Atlantic City - i'm biased i guess b/c i live right outside of it. however, the casinos are nice (most of them at least) and it's a 24 hour town
Philadelphia - sort of like Boston but less expensive. public transp here is alright though. lots to do here as well
Baltimore - only so-so imo. the inner harbor is nice but it's like Beirut only a few blocks away
Maryland's Eastern Shores - the chesapeke bay, beautiful scenery
Wash DC - the best walking-around city on the east coast imo. so much to do and see. awesome, awesome museums and history
Williamsburg, VA - the old colonial center, lots to do and see here but overpriced imo
Charleston, SC - the most beuatiful city in the entire South imo, almost like stepping into a time machine...it's that stunning
Savannah, GA - charleston lite
Atlanta, GA - ehh, so-so imo, nothing really outstanding
Miami Beach, FL - South Beach - 'nuff said

 

[Ginger_Ale]

some locations i'd recommend seeing:
Boston - very, very expensive though and the public transp isn't as good as some of the other metros. lots and lots of history.

Boston indeed is quite expensive. If you are going in November, there is always a possibility of getting a snow storm, so that is something to keep in mind if you come (perhaps make it your first stop and work your way south?). Nonetheless there is a lot to do here, and you can take a train to New York in a few hours (or a bus or car - from experience, it takes maybe 4 hours).

 

[Red Door]

Amtrak from Union Station (DC) to Penn Station (New York City) is about $55 IIRC. It's the best option, and you really don't want to drive in DC or NYC unless you're an experience local driver.

DC, you'll need about 1 week at the most, many of the things can be knocked out in one day, the Washington Monument will be able to be seen from anywhere in the city.

The best hotel idea would be in Rosslyn, you want to avoid downtown, they get expenive. From Rosslyn, it is possible to walk across the Key Bridge into Georgetown, but not desirable. But, you can easily catch the Subway (Metro) into the city, getting off at Smithsonian, Federal Triangle, L'Enfant Plaza, which are all very close to the Mall. Security in DC is tight, so you'll have to wait in lines for a lot of things, but they aren't so bad that you can't handle them. Also, if you want a day trip outside of DC, the city can be brutal in the summer, I'd suggest Mount Vernon, birthplace of George Washington, or maybe even an overnight down to Charlottesville. (A bit of stretch IMO, and the drive back is brutal traffic wise.)

Also, if you go to DC, and take the Metro, please, whatever you remember, stand to the right on the Escalators. The locals here aren't too kind of people standing on the left, I think most of us wouldn't mind taking their heads off. Avoid staying in Southeast and Northeast DC, they're not the best 2 parts of town, and the hotels/motels generally have hourly rates, if you get what I'm saying. They're probably cheaper though, it's really a matter of sacrificing comfort for money.

Anything else to ask about DC, don't be afraid to ask.

 

[Red Door]

Oh, let me add onto what El J said about Williamsburg. Williamsburg is a good way to see what Colonial America was like, but as El J says, it's way, way overpriced, and the hotels are all "outside" the town center (They're really only behind a small line of trees that you can walk through and avoid a $5 shuttle.)

It's nice to see, but not really worth it unless you have time. I'd personally say skip it.

 

[Elrohir]

A few answers:

If I am be going at all, it will probably be not earlier than November. What I forgot to ask is whether it's at all possible to arrange a trip in such a short notice.

Probably, but try not to schedule your trip around Thanksgiving or Christmas. Travel is insane then.

Re food prices: I don't intend to cook. Cereals for breakfast and sometimes dinner, but I'm almost always going to get lunch outside.

Well if you're willing to buy packaged food like cereals and pop tarts for breakfast then that'll cut down on things. What kind of meals do you want to eat for breakfast and dinner, and how much money are you expecting to spend? Do you insist on drinking beer or wine or coke with your meals, or do you have no problem making do with water?

There are plenty of chain sit down restaurants around here, not fast food but chain restaurants like Applebees or TGI Fridays or Chile's where you can buy decent meals for relatively cheap. (Large $6 burgers with fries, for example.) If you don't mind fast food there there is plenty of variety, and you don't have to eat a McDonalds all the time - there's also Burger King. (And Wendy's, and KFC, and Arby's, and Subway, and so on)

How much you could reasonably expect to spend on food really depends on what you expect to eat. Steak and lobster isn't going to happen on $20 a day, but if you don't mind eating cereal for breakfast it's definitely possible to eat out on that much the other two meals, and eat decent food, assuming you don't typically drink three or four beers with dinner, and have some cheesecake, and maybe some chicken wings for appetizers....

If you're going to be in a big city, it would probably be more cost effective to just buy a metro ticket than renting a car the whole time. (And then take a train, bus, or rent a car to go to the next city) In DC I think it's about $10-$12 for a day pass, though that's unlimited. There's plenty to see in DC without going on the metro though, if you don't mind walking a lot. I was in DC with some friends just a few weeks ago, and you can see the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the art museum, the National Archives, and so on without having to drive if you don't want to - you'll just spend a little while hoofing it. Tons of stuff to see. If you don't mind walking though, then you could potentially save a lot of money in DC by doing that. (The viability of that plan would depend on where you're staying, though, and I can't vouch for New York as I've never been there)

I'm afraid I can't help you much on the hotel front if you aren't willing to spend at least $50 a night - try the hostels everyone is linking you to, but be careful, they might not all be....reputable.

If you decide to come visit the US, I hope you have a fun time!

 

[emzie]

Whatever you do, try and avoid Greyhound. Just trust me.

Btw, I definitely want to visit Canada (as in Toronto and it's vicinity) - as long as it won't be too much hassle with visas and/or border passes.

You might experance some hold ups if you drive through a more remote part. I doubt those areas see many Israeli passports. However, you don't need a visa to enter Canada (just like you won't need one to enter the US).

In all honesty though, I'd hit up Montreal instead. Life isn't radically different between Toronto and NYC. Montreal would be a whole different experience (and you won't have too many problems with not knowing French)

Oh, and if you do goto Canada, forget my comment on Greyhound. Greyhound Canada is more professional, timely, clean and just... better.

 

[Irish Caesar]

Boston - very, very expensive though and the public transp isn't as good as some of the other metros. lots and lots of history.

Atlanta, GA - ehh, so-so imo, nothing really outstanding

Firstly, on the T -- Boston's subway is great; it goes pretty much anywhere in the city you might want to go... did you have a bad experience with it?

Secondly, your analysis on Atlanta is a bit unfair; there's nothing outstanding at all here! I mean, nothing against the World of Coca-Cola, but if that's the highlight of your trip to the States...

 

[Stolen Rutters]

Hey, we have awesome stuff here. Sleeping Bear Dunes, Mackinaw Island, Greenfield Village, Manistee National Park... edit. Oh, you said Atlanta. I don't know that place. I read too fast (thought you said America).

 

[El Koeno]

I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that the US East Coast has more to offer per square mile, civilization wise, than any place in the Americas.

I wouldn't know about the US east coast myself, but I found Central and South America quite civilized. It all depends on how you define civilization I guess.

Anyway, I do know a thing or two about Europe. It doesn't have to be all that expensive:

For lodging you could visit hostels. They allow you to cook your own food (if you want to, of course). In most places you should be able to find Bed and Breakfasts as well, that offer good value (and no backpackers).

Transport by train is quite cheap in Germany. They offer special discount tickets in weekends, that will let you get around the country with up to five people for 35 euros (you can't use express trains though). That makes a trip from e.g. Amsterdam to Prague quite a bit cheaper. International tickets are more convenient, but expensive.

Due to the weak dollar, live in the US will be way cheaper, whatever you do though.

 

[bob bobato]

Another question is weather - Since I'm focusing on cities some rain and cold weather are not much of a problem, but I don't want it to get too cold or too rainy. So looking on DC and everything to the north of it - what is the time period in which I can still enjoy myself? (does it even snow in NY?)

What do you consider too cold? Israel is much hotter than the US. What you consider cold, we consider spring and wear a Tshirt (at least I do. Montreal is really close to NYC). I just go this from the weather channel, But the coldest in Tel Aviv is about 0C, moreless. Thats November ,here. We get about -20C and mountains (not really, but hills the size of small houses, definitelly) of snow.

 

[Eli]

What do you consider too cold? Israel is much hotter than the US. What you consider cold, we consider spring and wear a Tshirt (at least I do. Montreal is really close to NYC). I just go this from the weather channel, But the coldest in Tel Aviv is about 0C, moreless. Thats November ,here. We get about -20C and mountains (not really, but hills the size of small houses, definitelly) of snow.

0C in Tel Aviv? When did that happen?

Anyway, too cold is when I can't do anything because everything is closed down or something. As long as all the places are open and the transportation is working, I'm ok with wearing another layer of clothes.

 

[Elrohir]

0C in Tel Aviv? When did that happen?

Anyway, too cold is when I can't do anything because everything is closed down or something. As long as all the places are open and the transportation is working, I'm ok with wearing another layer of clothes.

Cold doesn't shut things down, but too much snow can. If you come in November, you should be fine as far as now is concerned, as we only got a couple of snows in December last year. If you came in January, you'd have more trouble.

 

[luiz]

New York has kind of a strange weather. I went there last March. The day I arrived it was warm and I walked around in a T-Shirt. Two days later it was freezing and snowing considerably. A taxi lost controll, entered the sidewalk and would have hitted me if I had not jumped (and I didn't see it coming, a friend yelled at me to look out). Considering it was the USA, I should have sued him for uncurable mental trauma and asked for 171 million dollars

Anyway, nothing closed in NYC because of the snow when I was there.