I'm Invading

[Limited]

Well, I'm seriously considering going to America some time, probably after/if I graduate. I'd do some kind of road trip/plane trip around USA.

Now, I was wondering what you guys would recommend me going to, apart from the usual golden gate bridge, grand canyon etc. I would like to go to White House, mostly to flip off bush, although he wouldnt be around then (thank god) so I'd probably just look at the big ass spike/column thats near the White House.

I was talking about it to some people who've been and they said its freaking huge, understandably, they also said you guys hardly walk anywhere, even like to the shops, because they are so damn far away, so I was wondering what is your public transport like? Ours in England is complete bollocks thats why people walk everywhere here.

So yeah, watch out.

[Mr Buckshot]

Las Vegas, if you have enough money to wipe your ass with $20 bills (just kidding, you don't have to actually gamble, the hotels themselves are the real sights). My favorite hotel there was Treasure Island. 3 nights of pure fun (I was 10 years old so I played at the arcades a lot). I also visited Excalibur (based on a UK legend! yay!), Luxor, a recreation of NYC, and Aladdin (now Planet hollywood).

Los Angeles has a high crime rate but it's got the world's best theme parks/holiday resorts ever, with the possible exception of those in Dubai. The walk of fame is great for cam-whoring. I don't recommend Disneyland unless you have a young sibling with you. My favorite place there was the Universal Studios, where I lost a sandal on one ride and never got it back.

If you go to the Silicon Valley area (where I used to live from '01-'04, more specifically in San Jose), then you'll see...lots of my (former) kind. Many of them are ABCs. Enjoy some fine Chinese dining for reasonable prices. Go to the local high schools and meet Bathroom Security and some of my old pals there.

You can also tour Harvard University, where my sister currently studies (seriously), and where I wish I could go. However, the Boston streets in general aren't very pleasant. They scare me for sure.

Finally, Detroit is the place to go if you want to jeer at the American automobile companies. Biggest car companies in the world, yet European and Asian models outsell them, on their own turf.

P.S. NYC isn't that great, not even Manhattan. I've been there in 1999 (I even went to the rooftop of the WTC), and I was bored stiff. Streets are congested, the staff at JFK Airport are unfriendly, and the Avis Rent-a-car at one street cheats you out of your money. The Statue of Liberty was kind of fun, but thanks to 9/11 you can't actually go inside anymore.

one more thing, see if you can visit MY country, a former British dominion. You colonized us, y'know.

[DrunkenSamus]

California has a lot of attractions like the Sierra Nevadas, L.A., Universal City Walk...and I can't think up of anything else.

[Mr Buckshot]

California has a lot of attractions like the Sierra Nevadas, L.A., Universal City Walk...and I can't think up of anything else.

It has lots of AZNs. That is all.

I distinctly remember Lake Tahoe there. Smashed up a brand-new sled :| We bought it from a winter gear store, and came back to the hotel with it in pieces.

Limited, good choice coming for a vacation in the States. I like it too, although the city I visit most frequently is Bellingham, Washington State (for obvious reasons). This thread is bringing back many, many happy memories of the time I spent living there.

[STLRamsFan]

If you happen to go to Washington DC, hit me up as I live around there (I live in Virginia). I'd be awesome to see you haha. :)

[Jay2645]

so I'd probably just look at the big ass spike/column thats near the White House.

Damn it, that's George Washington's penis, fossilized.
That's why it's called the Washington Monument.
(I just got off of 4Chan, K?)

[ima_from_America]

If you get a chance, go to Savannah. The water's dirty, but what else would they use to make saltwater taffy?

[thehoodedsmack]

Las Vegas. Do it.

[Emmzee]

Las Vegas.

GOGOGO

[jcap]

If you go to DC, the trip would be wasted for the most part if you just wanted to see the Washington Monument or something. If you really want to make your trip worthwhile, check out the science branches of the Smithsonian (http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/science_and_technology/).

If you want to head up north after that, it would be a great experience to head into New York City. I don't really have any specific recommendations on what to do, but if you just walk around Times Square and down Broadway, you should find something. There's tons of stores you can enter in Times Square. Toys R Us has a ferris wheel inside their store there, and almost every major news channel in the country has their studios right there. If you visit at night (which is when I recommend because the city is amazing then), you can even look directly into the studios and see the primetime shows they are putting on. If you plan on going, you might want to book a ticket for a Broadway play in advance if you haven't seen the same one elsewhere (The Lion King). Just a tip: when you are ready to hit the sack, exit the city and stay somewhere about 30 minutes into New Jersey. You should be able to find a good Fairfield Inn or something. Tip: get new hotels only. Also, eat a lot in NYC - Italian only.

Miami is another impressive city. Don't have much to say of what to do other than relax all day, but you can find out yourself if you go. As I write, the water temperature is roughly what it is at the Jersey Shore in the summer months.

Across the country, if you want to head into Vegas, that's an awesome experience. Even if you don't gamble a single dollar, the attractions and sights are simply breathtaking. Just take a look at some pics of casinos on their websites, and you'll see.

Also, Orlando, but more specifically, Disney World (Magic Kingdom), and if you really want, Universal Studios.

[TeeKup]

Last time I saw your pic you looked like a good looking guy, with that in mind don't go to San Fransisco, you'll be raped.

I recommend Charleston, South Carolina or Savannah, Georgia. Both are very beautiful and historic cities in the country. Stationed in Charleston, at Patriots Point are 4 very recognized ships:

USS Yorktown
USS Laffey
USS Clamagore
and the USCG Ingham

Laffey


USS Laffey (DD-724) is the only surviving American destroyer from WWII to have served in both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns. To appreciate Laffey's story of absolute heroism, you start with the ship's defiant nickname; The Ship That Would Not Die.

Commissioned in 1944, USS Laffey (DD-724) is a Sumner Class destroyer named for the first USS Laffey (DD-459) of WWII, sent to the bottom by a Japanese torpedo in 1942 while taking on two enemy battleships.

After training in early 1944, the second Laffey immediately headed for the coast of France and on the morning of June 6th opened fire on Normandy’s Omaha Beach in support of D-Day.

Unscathed, Laffey's good fortune was again tested when later that month it was targeted by a German battery and hit with a shell... that didn't explode!

Laffey was ordered to leave the European theater and head for the war zone in the Pacific. The destroyer participated in attacks on the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Leyte Gulf for before heading to the last enemy strong hold that separated the Allies from the Japanese mainland - Okinawa.

With the pivotal battle at hand, Laffey was only 30 miles off the coast of Okinawa, in essence, the first "lookout" or radar picket location. The morning of April 15th a wave of fifty Japanese planes launched an attack on the invasion force with half those planes going after Laffey. The destroyer took punishing blows from four bombs and was hit by five Japanese Kamikaze. Incredibly, the crew not only managed to keep the crippled ship afloat but shot down nine attacking planes. The legend of The Ship that Would Not Die was born.

After five WWII battle stars and two more for Korean service, Laffey was decommissioned in 1975.

Yorktown

At nearly 900 feet in length, weighing in at more than 27,000 ton and bristling with weapons and war planes, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) was one of the most imposing modern marvels on the planet during WWII.

But it was her crew, some 2,500 sailors, who brought her to life, generated her fearless spirit and christened her with the nickname The Fighting Lady.

CV-10’s keel was laid on December 1, 1941 at Newport News, Virginia. This was a new breed of ship; the Essex class carrier. Longer, wider and heavier than its predecessor, the Essex class could hold more aircraft and became the backbone of the WWII Navy. Originally, CV-10 was to be known as the Bon Homme Richard but was renamed in honor of the only American carrier lost in the pivotal Battle of Midway, USS Yorktown (CV-5).

Launched by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, this new Yorktown would take on Japanese forces in epic battles; the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the Marshall Islands, Truk, The Mariana Islands; Iwo Jima, to name a few. And in the open waters of the Pacific Yorktown became a target of desperate Kamikaze missions.

Yorktown and her valiant crew would earn many honors for extraordinary heroism including the Presidential Unit Citation.

In the years that followed WWII, continued to play a vital role for the Navy including involvement in the Vietnam War. Yorktown even earned a place in space exploration history with the recovery of NASA’s Apollo 8 crew in 1968.

You can find out the others here
http://www.patriotspoint.org/exhibits/fleet/

Just recently the new Cooper River bridge was completed on July 16, 2005.
http://www.adina.com/cooper1.gif

Of course which can't be described by pictures is the many shops and restaurants in Charleston. You're guaranteed some of the best food in the south if you eat here.

[FireDragon04]

Yea listen to these guys, been British myself i love America lol, When i finish university i'm moving to New York for a while before getting a full American work visa when i find a job.

But New York, LA, LV, Grand Canyon, DC...etc are good examples of places to visit.
Personally i've seen everything in New York the breath taking view from the empire state building to the saddening site known as 'Ground Zero', i recommend New York to be on this 'road trip' of yours. :)



Just recently the new Cooper River bridge was completed on July 16, 2005.
http://www.adina.com/cooper1.gif

Is that a little bridge next to an amazingly cool one? i feel sorry for the little one, that new one looks spectacular, much better then the one i live near:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Humber_Bridge.png
5th Largest single span, nothing special lol.

[Amit]

Is that a little bridge next to an amazingly cool one? i feel sorry for the little one, that new one looks spectacular, much better then the one i live near:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Humber_Bridge.png
5th Largest single span, nothing special lol.

It looks like it could fall apart at any given time.

[Snowy]

You should see the St. Louis Arch. Pretty neat. :)

[legionaire45]

If you do go to Universal Studios Hollywood tell me. I lived live (lol bad typo) about 5 minutes away from it xD.

I've never been outside the state of California but I think either New York, California or Las Vegas are your best bets. California has a lot of amazing natural stuff (Red Wood Forests, etc.) as well as a bunch of theme parks and Hollywood, so there is a lot to do here.

The public transportation in California is ok. They charge about $1.25 per bus ride unless you buy yourself a $3 day pass, which lets you ride however much you want (That's Metro anyway).

[Xetsuei]

Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Palm Springs/Desert, Los Angeles, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, New York City, Miami Florida....yeah.

[TeeKup]

http://www.livesouth.com/pics/20061116151208Chinco1_LR.jpg

The Blue Ridge Mountains aka The Appalachian mountains are some of eastern america's most beautiful landscape, especially at dawn and dusk.

[DrunkenSamus]

If you do go to Universal Studios Hollywood tell me. I lived about 5 minutes away from it xD.

I've never been outside the state of California but I think either New York, California or Las Vegas are your best bets. California has a lot of amazing natural stuff (Red Wood Forests, etc.) as well as a bunch of theme parks and Hollywood, so there is a lot to do here.

The public transportation in California is ok. They charge about $1.25 per bus ride unless you buy yourself a $3 day pass, which lets you ride however much you want (That's Metro anyway).

Universal City Walk is the shit. Good times...

[Metroid4593]

http://www.livesouth.com/pics/20061116151208Chinco1_LR.jpg

The Blue Ridge Mountains aka The Appalachian mountains are some of eastern america's most beautiful landscape, especially at dawn and dusk.

That's where I live :awesome:

[Syuusuke]

If you go to New York City, don't travel alone =D

[Kornman00]

Las Vegas, if you have enough money to wipe your ass with $20 bills
Well, he does live in England where they use the pound, which is ironically double the value compared to our dollar (give or take).

Fuck you and your fucking pounds man <:mad:>!

But seriously, Kirkland was hawt shit when I went, never mind how chilly it was though :awesome:

[Huero]

If you want to get shot, come to Baltimore. :3

[Limited]

Thanks for all your great ideas :)

I'm probably going to say no to Las Vegas, sure it'll be fun and everything. But it seems a tad to gimmicky, although that is what makes it special, its OTT.

Detroit? your kidding me right? Isnt that were people get shot like everyday??

I would like to go to NYC, but the problem is it seems too busy, and way too big, you could spend hours walking around the streets just looking at all the shops and stuff.

Thanks for the advice teekup, but SF is probably a place high on my list, Ive heard its like the gay capitol of the world. And you can never imagine how gay it is without going. But theres some amazing scenery and landscapes.

St Louis arch is freaking insane and shiny as hell. Is st louis "near" new england? or well pennsylviana?

Holy crap transport in CA is cheap as hell. It cost me £1.80 in my home town to go around 0.3 miles (into town), single fair. That works out say $3.60, day tickets would compare to about $10.

Baltimore? Hmm, maybe I'll leave that for another day, preferably when I have a bullet proof vest.

To be perfectly honest, any where in USA I go, where its a typical town, with the streets and just American things will make me go "holy shit this is fucking awesome" Thats what I like about America (yes I do like it, some of you may think I dont, I just hate the government :)) just the typical American things, I thing its about the VAST change in lifestyle.

Right of now, I'm not sure whos going with me, I think my mate dave is going to go, and I think a few girls are planning on joining us.

But yeah thanks for the ideas so far :)

[Huero]

Well, if you plan to see what makes America "America", you should probably go to New York. Even if it IS busy, it's the place to see for landmarks; yeah, it's big, and yeah you would spend hours looking around, but that's what you're coming for, right? Besides, they have a paradox there. There's a Burger King on every corner; but there are no fat people in New York. Then again you're always walking, so I suppose it makes sense. <<;
They have Colbert and Stewart, too.

[STLRamsFan]

Thanks for all your great ideas :)

I'm probably going to say no to Las Vegas, sure it'll be fun and everything. But it seems a tad to gimmicky, although that is what makes it special, its OTT.

Detroit? your kidding me right? Isnt that were people get shot like everyday??

I would like to go to NYC, but the problem is it seems too busy, and way too big, you could spend hours walking around the streets just looking at all the shops and stuff.

Thanks for the advice teekup, but SF is probably a place high on my list, Ive heard its like the gay capitol of the world. And you can never imagine how gay it is without going. But theres some amazing scenery and landscapes.

St Louis arch is freaking insane and shiny as hell. Is st louis "near" new england? or well pennsylviana?

Holy crap transport in CA is cheap as hell. It cost me £1.80 in my home town to go around 0.3 miles (into town), single fair. That works out say $3.60, day tickets would compare to about $10.

Baltimore? Hmm, maybe I'll leave that for another day, preferably when I have a bullet proof vest.

To be perfectly honest, any where in USA I go, where its a typical town, with the streets and just American things will make me go "holy shit this is fucking awesome" Thats what I like about America (yes I do like it, some of you may think I dont, I just hate the government :)) just the typical American things, I thing its about the VAST change in lifestyle.

Right of now, I'm not sure whos going with me, I think my mate dave is going to go, and I think a few girls are planning on joining us.

But yeah thanks for the ideas so far :)

Just come to DC to see your old pal Rams. :awesome:

[Mr Buckshot]

I also recommend the Hershey's Park resort in Pennsylvania. Been there only once, and I want to go back so badly.

If you're really making a trip to the United States, see if you can proceed further north of the border. We unfortunately don't have mentionable theme parks and resorts (hint hint contractors hint hint build some damnit) but we have nature to look at, although you can get that in Yosemite.

Washington DC sucks. My parents forced my sister and I to go with them to so many stupid museums. Worst 5 hours of my childhood.

About actually working in the states with a visa:

California, especially the Silicon Valley area, is a great place for job opportunities. And no, it's not thanks to Arnold, who got elected while I was still living there. There's no snow in that area since it is near the coast, although that may actually be a good thing. The evidence? The Silicon Valley area is literally populated with immigrants from the East, which is why my parents chose to move there once instead of to places like NYC, Los Angeles, Boston, etc.

[TeeKup]

I don't think a person who lives in Canada should be giving advice on where to go in the United States of America.

[Huero]

Actually, if you ARE going to go anywhere, go to Hershey's Park.
Great rides, great FOOD(hell yes 2 foot long chocolate bars), great fun.

[Mr Buckshot]

I don't think a person who lives in Canada should be giving advice on where to go in the United States of America.

My sister lives in Boston (to study). I may very well come back to the U.S. after a 5-year absence if I graduate to a top university (although I need like 40+ I.B. points for that which I'm struggling to acquire). Truth is, the city where I live sucks when it comes to job opportunity, so I am seriously considering coming back, although not necessarily to California.

[jcap]

Really, the Eastern seaboard is where you'll find most of what you want in one general area. You can easily play connect the dots with a map and hit the major tourist attractions with little, if any, backtracking. If you want a really enjoyable vacation that is fun, interesting, and breathtaking, I HIGHLY recommend taking the following route:

fly into JFK or Newark
rent a car
visit NYC (maybe check out the Museum of Natural History)
head down to Philadelphia and explore the historic district
travel to DC and explore the museums (Smithsonian)
visit Yorktown and Williamsburg (Busch Gardens for a day maybe?)
[travel into Myrtle Beach (golf if you want and sleep)]
visit Charlotte
visit Charleston
visit Savannah
head down to Daytona Beach
visit Orlando and Disney World for a day
[visit West Palm Beach(?)]
visit Miami and relax there for a few days.
drop off the car and take a flight out of Miami back home...or across the country to the other coast.

[TeeKup]

Thats actually perfect. Do what Jcap said.

[Warsaw]

If you happen to go to Washington DC, hit me up as I live around there (I live in Virginia). I'd be awesome to see you haha. :)

You too, eh? :p

Also, Jcap knows his stuff.

[flibitijibibo]

Yup, Jcap's got the idea.

I lives about, oh I dunno, 30 mins away from D.C.? It's pretty nice when you're at all the government buildings/monuments. Otherwise, it can be a bit dangerous. =/

EDIT- Just noticed Buckshot's love for Hershey Park. It is in fact 1337. Especially if you feel like going on a candeh raid afterwards.

[ima_from_America]

But Athens has the B-52's. And the tree that pwns itself. And it has R.E.M..

[Warsaw]

Yup, Jcap's got the idea.

I lives about, oh I dunno, 30 mins away from D.C.? It's pretty nice when you're at all the government buildings/monuments. Otherwise, it can be a bit dangerous. =/

EDIT- Just noticed Buckshot's love for Hershey Park. It is in fact 1337. Especially if you feel like going on a candeh raid afterwards.

Same. And Hershey Park is indeed awesome, been there three times. :cool: