TRC Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I'm off there this summer, and wondering if anyones got any decent stories, or advice for someone going there for the first time, and if anyone knows cheap places to stay ect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Don't get shot. Might be worth sending an email to Stephen Fry ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtype Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 As an Asian who's foreign to both cultures, I honestly don't find it all that much different from Britain. Also, your experience will be vastly different depending on which part of the country you're in. One thing to keep in mind is that public transportation is crap. The place is huge and trains/flights are all ridiculously overpriced. Most metropolitan transportation systems are much less extensive and user-friendly compared to something like the London Tube, and you'll find it basically impossible to find public transportation to out-of-the-way, non-city places. I would suggest renting a car for the duration of your stay if at all possible. Would be happy to give some specific advice if you're coming to Boston, which is where I'm living atm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRC Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I am flying to Boston, looking at cheap hotels/motels and hostels. Probably stay there for 4 days or so, I'm going in the summer, will I get a chance to see the Celtics? I'm guessing I'll be there end of July Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtype Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I am flying to Boston, looking at cheap hotels/motels and hostels. Probably stay there for 4 days or so, I'm going in the summer, will I get a chance to see the Celtics? I'm guessing I'll be there end of July Although Celtics tickets are eminently attainable for most regular season matches, you're out of luck as the NBA has it's break during the summer. Personally I would suggest checking out a Red Sox game even if you have no interest at all in Baseball. Fenway park is beautiful (from the inside anyway,) especially if you get a seat way up high in the outfield. Just sit there sipping some beer and enjoy the atmosphere, you don't even have to look at the actual game. Other things to do in Boston: get some amazing seafood around the harbor, enjoy Chinatown before the economic crisis destroys it forever, check out the Harpoon brewery, travel out to one of the small coastal towns (like Rockport http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockport,_Massachusetts) for the "small town New England" experience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro111 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I was in New York for 3 days in 2000. Does that count? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubaricho Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 There are some amazing brownies in the Quincy Market. Down near the back end of the building. I spent a weekend there by myself once and it's a great city. I stayed at the John Hancock Hotel (http://www.jhcenter.com/) and it was super cheap ($60 a night if I remember correctly). The room was small and didn't have a view but I didn't spend much time there anyway. It's in a great location (called the Back Bay) and has a Metro stop across Copley Square. Anywhere else other than Boston you're looking to visit? I've been across the whole country at various times in my life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro111 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Isnt some Army kid from Durham walking across the entire states at the minute? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRC Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Doing most of the east side. Does the NBA not have preseason? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indi Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Go for a walk in Shenandoah and go up the Empire State building at sunset. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRC Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Does anyone know the best website for checking flights? Found flights the other day for 260 return with BA, now I can't find the website, and the other sites are now 500+ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro111 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Try and stop off at Mike's, he lives somewhere in the New York/Chicago/Buffalo area and show him how to make a proper cuppa will you? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indi Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Does anyone know the best website for checking flights? Found flights the other day for 260 return with BA, now I can't find the website, and the other sites are now 500+ www.sidestep.com www.hotwire.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro111 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Dont forget, when you are on the plane that you have to tick the "No" box when asked the question "Are you a Nazi war criminal?" Ticking "yes" might end your journey somewhat early. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Does anyone know the best website for checking flights? Found flights the other day for 260 return with BA, now I can't find the website, and the other sites are now 500+ travel supermarket, you'll find the prices fluctuate every day for example they'll go as high as £600 (cheapest) then fall back down to £250, you wont find cheaper than that to Boston Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenBartonCentrePartin Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Dont forget, when you are on the plane that you have to tick the "No" box when asked the question "Are you a Nazi war criminal?" Ticking "yes" might end your journey somewhat early. Saw that on Bill Bailey, and thought he was taking the piss. Went in September just gone and had to hold in the laughter when I actually saw it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indi Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I'd seriously recommend avoiding any uk based site for flights and go with one of the US based ones, they're always cheaper, especially for flights to and from the US. Airfrance-KLM seems to nearly always be the cheapest airline in my experience, as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indi Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Oh yeah, you'll need to do this and all: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_cB6ED9789-CFCE-8B87-3A1D-69E7B818FF73_k14FE2E03-04B5-6383-5EE8-AE3EFBB49E02 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRC Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I thought I didn't need a visa since I was going for only 5 weeks? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenBartonCentrePartin Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I thought I didn't need a visa since I was going for only 5 weeks? The UK are part of the Visa-Waiver scheme too (along with most European countries), which means you just fill in a green card. Although I don't know for up to how long you can stay for using it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro111 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I thought I didn't need a visa since I was going for only 5 weeks? The UK are part of the Visa-Waiver scheme too (along with most European countries), which means you just fill in a green card. Although I don't know for up to how long you can stay for using it. 90 days aint it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRC Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Anyone got any advice on North/Sout Carolina and Virginia? And internal flights? KLM are double the price of air france, AA and BA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro111 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Anyone got any advice on North/Sout Carolina and Virginia? And internal flights? KLM are double the price of air france, AA and BA You're in FLAIR COUNTRY WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Someone will get the reference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubaricho Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 WWF/Wrestling? Anyway, flying in the country is far less cheaper than flying around the UK/Europe (I'm sure it has something to do with exchange rates and the like). Although, it still is the cheapest way to travel long distances in the US. If you're going a short distance, either a cheap airfare company or a train is your best bet (especially in the New England area). They have a few big trains between DC and New York as far as I know, which should get you there quickly enough. I'll be in Montreal (arguably the best city in North America) in July, if you're there hit me up and we can get a pint! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shearer9 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Anyone got any advice on North/Sout Carolina and Virginia? And internal flights? KLM are double the price of air france, AA and BA Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia is interesting to say the least, and North and South Carolina both have great beaches if you get down that way. Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA are two really beautiful older southern cities, would say Charleston is probably South Carolina's best attraction. Pretty fun city, nice beaches, an old town-style market, it's just a cool place. Western North Carolina has some good hiking, and the Appalachian Trail runs right along the western border if you're an outdoorsy type. Since it's the summer, would also recommend a minor league baseball game, there are numerous teams all over the country. I can't think of a ton else in this area, like I say, most of the tourism is based on the coast. And like others have said, even if you fly into one of these states, there will be no public transportation, so you'll need a rental car to get there if you don't fly and definitely one to get around. I've always found using the interstates pretty easy and efficient, may be the most economic way to get around. Keep in mind that gas prices have fallen a long way within the past 6 months and may be soaring again in the summer, so try to factor that into your decision. If gas is back up to $4.00/gallon that's gonna chew up a major part of your budget because the long distances can really become expensive. P.S. If you do actually make it to South Carolina, be sure to visit our State House grounds in Columbia, where yes, we're the only state in the union still flying the Confederate Flag. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now