I'm planning (hopefully) a trip to the USA in September, starting in New York and lasting for about 25 days. I want to stay in NYC for a few days, then get a Amtrak pass and travel around a bit on the trains, since it seems to be the best way to do it. My rail pass only covers the East, but that's a pretty big area (as far east as Montana in the north and New Mexico & Colorado in the south).

Obviously planning to see NYC, Chicago, Boston, Washington DC...but can anyone recommend good places to visit, and does anyone have experience of travelling by train in the US?

Apart from Chicago, I really can't think of any better places in the midwest. I recommend Atlantic City in NJ. I believe it isn't that much of a journey from NYC by NJ Transit. If you fancy Skiing or something on your travels to Boston, there are a lot of great places in New Hampshire.

 

I havn't 'travelled' the US but over the years I have been to 14 different states on holidays and visiting family.

Apart from Chicago, I really can't think of any better places in the midwest. I recommend Atlantic City in NJ. I believe it isn't that much of a journey from NYC by NJ Transit. If you fancy Skiing or something on your travels to Boston, there are a lot of great places in New Hampshire.

 

I havn't 'travelled' the US but over the years I have been to 14 different states on holidays and visiting family.

 

Ski season doesn't open here until November 25th at the earliest.

 

But don't just go see New york City. Go upstate and see the beauty there too go see the capital etc.

Ski season doesn't open here until November 25th at the earliest.

 

But don't just go see New york City. Go upstate and see the beauty there too go see the capital etc.

 

Obviously I'm limited by where an Amtrak train will take me, but I'm hoping for some scenic journeys! I should probably also ask - is there anywhere I should really avoid?

Newark lol trust me

Obviously I'm limited by where an Amtrak train will take me, but I'm hoping for some scenic journeys! I should probably also ask - is there anywhere I should really avoid?

the bronx. And amtrak will take you to upstate New York.

Yes, while I was over there in April, there was a story on the news about a young girl who got lost and ended up in the Bronx. She asked 1 person for directions and got shot. LOVELY!

I went a couple of years ago and did NYC, Washington DC and Baltimore & Annapolis. Annapolis was lovely, went out on the boat trip, saw my dream house lol. The US(Navy?) base there is pretty cool too.

 

I enjoyed the Smithsonian air & space in Washington & I visited the National gallery which was really interesting - but I guess that is partially to do with the particular exhibitions they had at the time.

 

Took the underground out the pentagon as well which was really unexciting - just a building - until we got told off for taking photos and told we'd be arrested if one of the guards caught us! Whoopsie!

Newark lol trust me

 

...reassuring, since I'm flying to Newark Intl...but wasn't planning to stick around there though!

Hey! What about Philadelphia! It's a great city with lots of history and a fun night-life. We get overlooked by DC and NYC all the time but we were the first capital of the nation. If you come to Philly let me know and I can give you quite a few places to check out. When in September are you coming over? I'm getting married on the 7th and will be in Aruba for 7 days after that but you can definitely look me up if you like. I would definitely recommend the following places.

 

NYC, Philly, DC, Boston, Chicago. But I'd also go int Vermont in my opinion it's much more beautiful than New Hampshire but that's me. I grew up spending my summers up there.

 

As far as Amtrack, our national trains are nothing like they are in Europe, ours suck. I think you'd be better off renting a car (just remember we drive on the opposite site of the road!) and driving around. You'd see more that way. People are a little faster paced on the East coast so don't take it personally when you drive if you get flicked off or cursed at. They don't mean anything by it. Also remember we have speed limits a lot lower than the ones in the UK and Europe. You can go 5-10 mph over the speed limit usually with out getting pulled over by a cop.

 

Anywho! Have fun and definitely check out Philly!

Newark lol trust me

 

Don't go to Newark, NJ! Ewww. But Newark Delaware is where there are some amazingly hot co-eds (university of delaware is there). it's a college town and a lot of fun. I went to school there. Great time.

...reassuring, since I'm flying to Newark Intl...but wasn't planning to stick around there though!

 

smart. Newark Liberty Int'l is a great airport though!

I have to admit, the Newark airport is very good for international flights. From my experience, everytime I've flown there, I have arrived early. The customs are quick (there are something like 20 desks) the bags will normally come out as soon as you get to the baggage claim.

 

I wish I could say the same for domestic flights. Obviously there is no need for customs but I have flown from Madison, WI to Newark, NJ twice in the last 2 years and the flights were delayed 4 and 6 hours. We got there and the bags didn't come out for at least an hour. At first I thought it may have been Madison but my brother flew from Colorado and had a similar experience. My theory is that the airport staff in control of the domestic flights are a few locals serving community service.

haha welcome to america!

Well, I'd prefer to hire a car but I'm 20, so I can't...also, if I get the train I can go long distances at night, and therefore save on hostel/hotel bills and maximise useful time. Train should help me cover more distance, even though I hear they randomly get delayed by hours because of freight trains. Greyhound bus is the other option, but it'd be slow, I'd have thought.

 

That said, what do under 21s do for fun in the states? Can you still go to bars/clubs and not drink? Or is there a lot of stuff to do that isn't alcohol based?

 

I'd forgotten to mention Philadelphia, I was planning to go there though. All I really know about the place is its where the Flyers come from, and that soft cheese. Also a film about drug addicts or something, I haven't seen it. Good theme song though. And now I'm rambling.

 

As for the flights...they're pretty ridiculous. I'm going to NY from the UK via Detroit, so like....a good few hundred miles too far west, only to come back east. How this will work out with customs and such, I have no idea. For some reason its the cheapest way for me. For a £50 (plus tax) return, I'm not complaining (although oddly, for me to fly just to Detroit costs more). I'm planning to visit Detroit at some point anyway, as I have a friend in Minnesota who I lived with at university for a few months, and its on the way. Also, I want a red wings jersey.

in the states it goes by state when it comes to drinking in I know in Louisiana drinking age is 18 but in the Northeast and most places its 21. alot of places won't let you in if your underage. Alot of college students get "fakes" but I'm not condoning that especially if your a foreigner. Better not do that. There are some clubs that are 18+ but you really need to look around for them. If you come to Philly give me a ring and I'll be glad to show you around. Just PM me for you email address.

when will you be coming to the USA again? What are some of the states you absolutely want to make it too. I would rent a car and just figure out the roads but that's me. I probably wouldn't drive in the UK if I were visiting. Up to you

haha just thinking about you driving in the US. Maybe you should stick to the train lol warn me if you drive. haha

haha just thinking about you driving in the US. Maybe you should stick to the train lol warn me if you drive. haha

 

huh?

 

And no, won't be driving, can't hire a car!

oh i think brit english and american english is screwing us up. when you mean hire a car do you mean rent a car? or do you mean get a car and a driver. I was saying rent a car. Oh well.

Either rent or hire would both mean self drive (which I'm not old enough to do). Getting a driver would be insanely expensive - hadn't even thought of it!

Why can't you hire a car? Is it 21 as well? I'm 22 and am hiring a car when I go over next year. It is more expensive for under 25's but I found a good company that rather than charging the $25 a day excess insurance, you can buy a cheaper policy from.

 

As for drinking, I went there 2 years ago when I was 20 (a month before my 21st). I was absolutely horrified at the idea of being told I wasn't allowed to drink. I know its their laws but COME ON, I've been drinking since I was like 9, and these days I drink most evenings. The idea of being on holiday and not being able to chill out with a beer really niggled me.

 

So I decided to try and get away with it. Every time I ordered a drink and got ID'd (which was 4 times) I produced my UK driving license and relied on 3 facts.

1. they weren't used to the layout so would spend a few seconds locating the date.

2. they would read my birth date the wrong way round (Which still made me under 21), then realise that it was a UK date and thus back to front

3. the combined time to do 1 or 2 would be greater than the time they felt comfortable staring at the card and thus they'd give it back without re-reading.

 

Either that or they'd not be able to figure out the dates because I was only a month away, and thus give up and assume I was telling the truth.

 

It worked 3 out of 4 times. The 4th time I played dumb when I was caught out and just pretended I didn't know I wasn't old enough.

 

Worth a shot!

haha. Honestly. I have a bunch of work arounds that we use here in the states but you guys would probably be shipped to cuba. lol

Yeah, I'd rather not risk it. I can chill with a coke...

 

And yeah, car rental/hire is 21. Also it'd cost a lot more than the train, plus I couldn't go as far because I couldn't drive through the night and be awake in the morning.

haha. Honestly. I have a bunch of work arounds that we use here in the states but you guys would probably be shipped to cuba. lol

 

Shipped to cuba for being a dumb Englander who didn't know she had to be 21 to drink?