I'm thinking about visiting the US next year...

[Violet_Crumble]

Apart from the real obvious touristy stuff, does anyone have any suggestions for what to see on a two-week trip there? I'd like to drive around, but the whole wrong side of the road thing is a bit intimidating, but if I can get over that, I wouldn't mind getting any suggestions for out of the way less touristy sort of places to see...

[Mira]

1. Funny I was thinking about you a few days ago

because the anniversary of the death of Tangerine la Bamba is coming up, and I wondered if you still thought she was faking it.

Now, about coming to the US, you are, of course aware that we have almost 4 million square miles in our 50 states, and your question is a bit tricky to answer.

So that makes it a really huge question, doesn't it.

You will get over driving on the "wrong" side of the street in about a half an hour....

Enjoy your stay if and when you come, and if you can narrow your question down a bit, along with telling us which of the "obvious touristy stuff" of our country you would or would not like to include, maybe you'll get some answers worth having.

[madmax]

2. Hello Violet

You knew T LaB, also? Faked it? If only... I think of her everyday - not a day goes by that I don't miss her terribly and wish I could talk to her one last time.

Hope you have a nice visit, but why anyone wants to visit this country is beyond me. I'd love to go to England, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and/or Spain. Those are just countries in Europe. I have another list for South America ;)

[Violet_Crumble]

3. I can highly recommend Europe...

Went there a few years ago and I'd like to go back and see more of Italy, Germany and France. They were awesome places to go to. But after watching 'Stephen Fry in America' recently, I've got the urge to travel around in the US and see some stuff. Not sure how realistic that urge is, seeing as how my idea of a perfect holiday involves sun and surf and being lazy (my only criticism of my trip to Europe and the UK was having to get up too early and there being no beaches to be seen), but some of my friends swear that the US is worth seeing, so I'm definately thinking of doing it...

No, I didn't know TLB, apart from seeing some posts at DU before she got tombstoned. She left as little impression on me as many other tombstoned DUers I didn't want to get to know and aren't the slightest bit interested in hearing or talking about...

on edit: fixed up wonky url...

[whathehell]

9. Beaches: Hawaii, Miami..Many other sunny, spectacular sights in SouthWest. n/t

[whathehell]

8. Are you kidding?

America has great and unique things to see....I lke Europe, and have been to many of its countries, but both areas have things the other does not.

We're not much on Castles and Cathedrals...OTOH, Europe isn't much for Wide Open Spaces, like the Mohave desert and the amazing sights of Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon in Utah or places like Grand Canyon, the sight of which has caused people to FAINT....It's beauty and massive, wonderous scale can't be imagined..It has to be experienced.

Europe also tends to lack the stark contrasts of places like Hawaii and Alaska..both of which I've been to and both of which I'd recommend.

You need to get out more, Max.:)

[Mira]

10. Pulled this up and realized you had not been made aware that Madmax

was pulling Violet Crumble's leg. With a passion, and a vengeance.
It's personal.

And you are so right about everything you say. I'm from Europe and have traveled a lot. I am one of the ones who lost her composure, my knees buckled and my eyes ran over when I saw the Grand Canyon. No castle or cathedral has done that to me ever.
There also is nothing to rival Monument Valley, or Bryce Canyon, or Zion, or Yellowstone...
America is so very very beautiful it takes my breath away.

This is an old hat thread, I was just poking around having just returned from a trip, and travel was on my mind.
Wonder if Violet every made it to the US.

[elleng]

4. Let us know what season/month you're thinking about

and we might be able to be specific.

[Glassunion]

5. Not to mention where you are considering landing and leaving from.

But my best advice. Don't plan anything and you will see more than you imagined.

If you make too many specific plans of things to see, you might end up disappointed.

"Tourists don't know where they have been. Travelers don't know where they are going." - Anthony Bourdain.

[Violet_Crumble]

6. I guess I'd be landing and leaving from LA...

That side of the US is closest to here so it's cheaper to fly there than to New York or over that side. If I go it's going to be September or October next year, so that's autumn over there....

I'm not much of a planner, so biting the bullet and hiring a car sounds like the best way for me to go...

[elleng]

7. Drive up the west coast, into Oregon,

continue to Canada if you'd like, and/or head east at some point. Pick up U.S. map, think of places/states you're somehow interested in.

http://www.suite101.com/content/pacific-coast-highway-scenic-drive-a25276