First trip to the states
Discussion
Having never traveled outside of Europe before my partner and I are looking at visiting the states at some point between late Oct-anytime in November.
We were thinking possibly 4 nights in Vegas & 7-8 nights in either LA or Florida.
Can anyone advise which would be the better option?
Would both Florida & LA have decent weather?
To add a little context we would spend some time at the Disney parks but would also like a like a little sightseeing if possible & some decent bars to head into during the evening.
Thanks for reading
We were thinking possibly 4 nights in Vegas & 7-8 nights in either LA or Florida.
Can anyone advise which would be the better option?
Would both Florida & LA have decent weather?
To add a little context we would spend some time at the Disney parks but would also like a like a little sightseeing if possible & some decent bars to head into during the evening.
Thanks for reading
I've only been to Florida/Orlando and there are enough parks etc. for a 14 day holiday so you won't want for anything to do really. Disney is like a city in itself, Universal is a good sized town.
There are plenty of events, food and shopping in and around Orlando too. Miami is a bit of a drive but doable if you share the driving or stay a night if you want to see it.
There are plenty of events, food and shopping in and around Orlando too. Miami is a bit of a drive but doable if you share the driving or stay a night if you want to see it.
In terms of Florida, Busch gardens has the more "adult" rides. Universal is still my favourite. Not sure I'd go near Disney without young kids in tow.
Florida and LA/Vegas are a long way apart (I think about 5 hours flying and 3 time zones).....are you sure you want to combine the 2 ?
Florida and LA/Vegas are a long way apart (I think about 5 hours flying and 3 time zones).....are you sure you want to combine the 2 ?
Steve Campbell said:
Florida and LA/Vegas are a long way apart (I think about 5 hours flying and 3 time zones).....are you sure you want to combine the 2 ?
This. If you're in Vegas it makes no sense to go to Florida.However from Vegas it's a great drive to LA so long as you avoid the freeway - go through the Mojave desert to Joshua Tree and then Palm Springs and you'll drive through some stunning if bleak scenery.
deckster said:
from Vegas it's a great drive to LA so long as you avoid the freeway - go through the Mojave desert to Joshua Tree and then Palm Springs and you'll drive through some stunning if bleak scenery.
Or through Pahrump, Zabriskie Point, Death Valley and Borax back toward LAIn fact, the flights may be cheaper if you get a straightforward return to either LA or Vegas and do both those drives. Personally I don't find LA worth more than a couple of days, but that's maybe because several years living in San Fran
TikTak said:
I've only been to Florida/Orlando and there are enough parks etc. for a 14 day holiday so you won't want for anything to do really. Disney is like a city in itself, Universal is a good sized town.
There are plenty of events, food and shopping in and around Orlando too. Miami is a bit of a drive but doable if you share the driving or stay a night if you want to see it.
Hi TikTak. That's good to know, I was worried evening times could be a little poor with regards to bars etc with it been based around Disney parks etc.There are plenty of events, food and shopping in and around Orlando too. Miami is a bit of a drive but doable if you share the driving or stay a night if you want to see it.
Miami would be great to see but as Id be the only driver it does seem quite a distance by car. Overnight stay over could be an option though
boyse7en said:
I went to LA in early December and weather was (for me) perfect. Sunny skies and mid-20s temps. Universal Studios was virtually empty on a Thursday which meant we got to do all the rides with very little queuing.
That said, I wouldn't want to be in LA for 8 days.
Really, that hot! They're perfect temperatures. We have been looking at averages online and it seems to suggest around 20 degree from mid November onwards, the chance of cooler weather is one of the main things putting is off LA to be honest as Florida seems to offer nicer weather. That said, I wouldn't want to be in LA for 8 days.
we were thinking to maybe split the LA trip in half so 4 nights at Aneheim & 4 nights nearer Universal Studio's area.
Steve Campbell said:
In terms of Florida, Busch gardens has the more "adult" rides. Universal is still my favourite. Not sure I'd go near Disney without young kids in tow.
Florida and LA/Vegas are a long way apart (I think about 5 hours flying and 3 time zones).....are you sure you want to combine the 2 ?
Just checked out Busch Gardens, it looks really good! I had not noticed that in looking at attractions. Florida and LA/Vegas are a long way apart (I think about 5 hours flying and 3 time zones).....are you sure you want to combine the 2 ?
I know that would basically take a day up, Florida seems to offer the better weather for the time of year that's the main reason we are considering it over LA to be honest
deckster said:
This. If you're in Vegas it makes no sense to go to Florida.
However from Vegas it's a great drive to LA so long as you avoid the freeway - go through the Mojave desert to Joshua Tree and then Palm Springs and you'll drive through some stunning if bleak scenery.
I know we would pretty much lose a day by doing this. Vegas is somewhere on the bucket list, LA is definitely better positioned to combine the two. We are just worried about any potentially cooler temperatures in LA at that time of year. However from Vegas it's a great drive to LA so long as you avoid the freeway - go through the Mojave desert to Joshua Tree and then Palm Springs and you'll drive through some stunning if bleak scenery.
Is it a simple process hiring a car one way to Vegas? Something I have not looked into to be honest with the internal flights been relatively cheap.
deckster said:
Steve Campbell said:
Florida and LA/Vegas are a long way apart (I think about 5 hours flying and 3 time zones).....are you sure you want to combine the 2 ?
This. If you're in Vegas it makes no sense to go to Florida.However from Vegas it's a great drive to LA so long as you avoid the freeway - go through the Mojave desert to Joshua Tree and then Palm Springs and you'll drive through some stunning if bleak scenery.
Personally, I would split it into two separate holidays since the distance and attractions are so great. If you wanted to combine the two, consider an internal flight as you'll save so much time that way - I don't think driving between Miami and LA/LV will be a fantastic road trip. The warmer location will be Florida though, and it'll be pleasant but obviously not the Florida heat you see on TV at that time of year.
Don't forget 6 Flags Magic Mountain if you are in LA. It's the best collection of full-on coaster I've ever been on. I think we did 12 in one day.
For one week there is no way I'd try and cram in West AND East Coast.
Do West - Vegas, fab drive to LA, or fly to LAX and drive to Vegas.
Nappa Valley - wine - if you like that.
LA- it's fun to see how the bell ends live, and talking of bells, a drive through Bel Air is unforgettable, as is a walk down Rodeo, or a drive through Mullholand drive - Beverly Hills. Go up Mullholland to the Holywood sign and watch the smog/sunset.
If you ever played Vice City it's a bucket list :-) PLenty of bars in LA.
Oh, don't forget Santa Monika Pier, Venice Beach... there is so much to see and do.
Florida is a seperate holiday, and if you don't have kids - Disney - Meh.... when it was affordable I'd say why not, but now, you have Busch Gardens and Univeral instead.
For one week there is no way I'd try and cram in West AND East Coast.
Do West - Vegas, fab drive to LA, or fly to LAX and drive to Vegas.
Nappa Valley - wine - if you like that.
LA- it's fun to see how the bell ends live, and talking of bells, a drive through Bel Air is unforgettable, as is a walk down Rodeo, or a drive through Mullholand drive - Beverly Hills. Go up Mullholland to the Holywood sign and watch the smog/sunset.
If you ever played Vice City it's a bucket list :-) PLenty of bars in LA.
Oh, don't forget Santa Monika Pier, Venice Beach... there is so much to see and do.
Florida is a seperate holiday, and if you don't have kids - Disney - Meh.... when it was affordable I'd say why not, but now, you have Busch Gardens and Univeral instead.
ro250 said:
Exactly this. You need to look at a map! No point going to Vegas and then travelling all the way to Florida. If you're doing Vegas, drive to LA afterwards where they have Universal Studios if you want a decent theme park.
LA seems the logical choice if combining it with Vegas. Is the weather likely to be sunny t shirt weather that time of year or is it a gamble do you think? Alexandra said:
Personally, I would split it into two separate holidays since the distance and attractions are so great. If you wanted to combine the two, consider an internal flight as you'll save so much time that way - I don't think driving between Miami and LA/LV will be a fantastic road trip. The warmer location will be Florida though, and it'll be pleasant but obviously not the Florida heat you see on TV at that time of year.
Yeah it sounds like the Florida-Vegas flight would just take too much time for such a short trip. Have you any experience with LA temperatures around that time of year?
The internal flights don't seem to be expensive at all which is a bonus
IMO Florida is a great place for a family 'tourist' holiday, but while not being great itself LA is a great jumping off point for so many other places. Do a couple of nights in Buena Park/Anaheim for Disney and then move on somewhere else for the rest of the time. Pasadena is a great shout if you want chilled bars and a thriving live music scene. Also not too far from Hollywood/Beverley Hills/Universal if that floats your boat.
Griffith4ever said:
Don't forget 6 Flags Magic Mountain if you are in LA. It's the best collection of full-on coaster I've ever been on. I think we did 12 in one day.
For one week there is no way I'd try and cram in West AND East Coast.
Do West - Vegas, fab drive to LA, or fly to LAX and drive to Vegas.
Nappa Valley - wine - if you like that.
LA- it's fun to see how the bell ends live, and talking of bells, a drive through Bel Air is unforgettable, as is a walk down Rodeo, or a drive through Mullholand drive - Beverly Hills. Go up Mullholland to the Holywood sign and watch the smog/sunset.
If you ever played Vice City it's a bucket list :-) PLenty of bars in LA.
Oh, don't forget Santa Monika Pier, Venice Beach... there is so much to see and do.
Florida is a seperate holiday, and if you don't have kids - Disney - Meh.... when it was affordable I'd say why not, but now, you have Busch Gardens and Univeral instead.
The 6 Flags Magic Mountains looks a blast! For one week there is no way I'd try and cram in West AND East Coast.
Do West - Vegas, fab drive to LA, or fly to LAX and drive to Vegas.
Nappa Valley - wine - if you like that.
LA- it's fun to see how the bell ends live, and talking of bells, a drive through Bel Air is unforgettable, as is a walk down Rodeo, or a drive through Mullholand drive - Beverly Hills. Go up Mullholland to the Holywood sign and watch the smog/sunset.
If you ever played Vice City it's a bucket list :-) PLenty of bars in LA.
Oh, don't forget Santa Monika Pier, Venice Beach... there is so much to see and do.
Florida is a seperate holiday, and if you don't have kids - Disney - Meh.... when it was affordable I'd say why not, but now, you have Busch Gardens and Univeral instead.
We were looking at 11-12 days in total but it doesn't seem like it's worth it.
There seems to be loads of great things to do and see in LA besides the parks which would be good.
Do you think the weather would be sunny t shirt weather during November time? I can only seem to find the online averages but would be keen to hear from people that have been what it is generally like that time of year
vinnie07 said:
The 6 Flags Magic Mountains looks a blast!
We were looking at 11-12 days in total but it doesn't seem like it's worth it.
There seems to be loads of great things to do and see in LA besides the parks which would be good.
Do you think the weather would be sunny t shirt weather during November time? I can only seem to find the online averages but would be keen to hear from people that have been what it is generally like that time of year
I've been October and march. Both times jeans and TeesWe were looking at 11-12 days in total but it doesn't seem like it's worth it.
There seems to be loads of great things to do and see in LA besides the parks which would be good.
Do you think the weather would be sunny t shirt weather during November time? I can only seem to find the online averages but would be keen to hear from people that have been what it is generally like that time of year
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