J'aimerai avoir vos avis sur mon parcours de 6 jours dans le grand ouest.
J1
Los Angeles- Las VegasEGAS avec nuit à Las Vegas (trajet 4h30)
J2
Las Vegas - Grand Canyon
avec arrêt à Kingman pour déjeuner (trajet 1H40)
et arrêt à Williams (trajet 1h40)
puis nuit à Grand Canyon Village (trajet 1H)
J3
Visite Grand Canyon (difficultés à estimes le parcours en heures)
puis direction Monument Valley pour coucher du soleil
nuit à Monument (à valider Mexican Hat ou Valley of the gods sachant qu'il n'y a qu'un seul hôtel)
est-ce que l'axe de visite du Grand Canyon permet de rejoindre Monument Valley?
J4
visite de Monument Valley et Valley of the Gods (difficultés à estimes le parcours en heures)
puis départ vers Page (trajet MV-Page 2H30)
J5
Brève visite du lac Powell puis départ pour Bryce Canyon
nuit à Bryce Canyon (trajet Page-Bryce Canyon 3H)
J6
Bryce Canyon - Las Vegas pour attraper un vol intérieur à 16h52 à destination de San Francisco
Je vous remercie par avance de vos conseils.
Pour information à ce jour aucune réservation d'hôtel n'a été faite.
Merci.
Visite Grand Canyon (difficultés à estimes le parcours en heures)
tout dépend ce que tu y fais... Si tu ne fais que les points de vue, une demi-journée suffit. Mais ensuite en direction de Monument Valley, il y a la Desert View Drive avec d'autres points de vue.
(à valider Mexican Hat ou Valley of the gods sachant qu'il n'y a qu'un seul hôtel)
non, tu en as plusieurs: The View, le Goulding's Lodge, à Mexican Hat: le Hat Rock Inn, le San Juan Inn.... Tu as aussi un B&B à Valley Of The Gods.
Brève visite du lac Powell
il serait dommage de ne pas faire Lower Antelope Canyon et Horseshoe Bend
J
6
Bryce Canyon - Las Vegas pour attraper un vol intérieur à 16h52 à destination de San Francisco
Sachant qu'il y a 5h de route (sans visites, sans pauses), qu'il faut à l'aéroport 2h avant... Je te laisse calculer.
Bref, pour moi c'est faisable mais ça va trop vite
Effectivement nous avons prévu quelques jours à Los Angeles avant notre départ et aussi quelques jours à San Francisco (nous sommes assez grandes villes américaines). Mais nous souhaitons également visiter Grand Canyon et Monument Valley...pour notre premier voyage dans cette partie des Etats-Unis.
c'est vrai que le timing pour les journées 5 (Lac Powell et Bryce) et 6 (trajet Bryce pour Las Vegas) n'est pas satisfaisant.
Sachant qu'au départ nous n'avions pas forcément prévu ces étapes depuis Monument Valley, mais comme nous devons retourner à Vegas, cela permettait de faire un trajet plus riche que de revenir sur nos pas.
Dans tous les cas nous ne souhaitons pas faire tout à toute vitesse et préférons zapper certains parcs que nous visiterons une prochaine fois.
Avez-vous une autre idée de parcours pour notre retour de Monument Valley vers Las-Vegas avec le timing du vol intérieur? en évitant les journées de 8h de trajet
Arff malheureusement non, à moins d'enlever du temps à Los Angeles pour rajouter un ou deux jours pour les parcs! Pas possible d'enlever au moins une journée à LA?
Se rendre à Lake Powell sans faire le lower (ou upper) canyon n'a pas tellement d'intérêt (ceci dit c'est aussi un attrape touristes !!). Il y a horseshoe qui est magnifique mais qui nécessite un petit quart d'heure de marche (aller) pour voir cette merveille.
Grand canyon prend une journée si on veut profiter du site. Je te conseillerai d'en faire une partie à pieds et une autre avec les navettes (mais il faut parfois attendre un peu entre chaque navette, ce qui allonge le temps nécessaire à la visite).
Bryce canyon est vraiment un beau site. Il présente l'avantage d'être "tronçonnable" de sorte que vous pouvez vous engager sur une partie à pieds, puis vous pouvez rattraper une navette, ou faire un aller à pieds et le retour en navette. Pour profiter du lieu, il faut plus d'une demie journée.
Loger à Mexican Hat est un bon endroit pour se rendre à Monument Vallée. Le san Juan Inn est un bon hotel.
notre périple est décrit sur le 1er post. Pour ce qui est du avant circuits dans les parcs (4 jours à Los Angeles) et du après à San Francisco (4 jours), nous ne souhaitons rien changer.
Peut-être devrons nous sacrifier l'un des parcs...reste néanmoins le trajet de retour vers Las Vegas à effectuer une fois arrivés à Monument Valley.
Tu pourrais faire cela :
J1
Los Angeles- Bagdad Café, Oatman, Kingman nuit à Kingman
J2
Kingman en passant par Seligman et Williams - Grand Canyon
puis nuit à Grand Canyon Village visite dans l'après midi
J3
Visite Grand Canyon le matin et puis direction Monument Valley pour coucher du soleil
nuit à Monument (à valider Mexican Hat ou Valley of the gods sachant qu'il n'y a qu'un seul hôtel)
J4
Valley of the Gods
puis départ vers Page Brève visite du lac Powell
J5
Matin Antelope canyon puis départ pour Las Veags soirée
J6
Las Vegas pour attraper un vol intérieur à 16h52 à destination de San Francisco
Ce n'est pas plus attrape touriste que NOS musées ou la Tour Eiffel ou les plages payantes, etc...!
Et à leur place (les Navajos - sous-entendu... puisque tu les critiques) que ferais TU ???
Jean.
Bonjour,
Je suis toujours surprise de la réaction passionnée de certains à la suite de posts qui ne font qu’émettre un avis (et non une critique). Et aussi les fausses interprétations que l'on peut faire de vos messages.
En toute objectivité, si le voyage programmé est limité en temps et si des choix sont à faire, il me semble plus judicieux de supprimer ce qui est un attrape touriste et de se concentrer sur des sites plus représentatifs de l'Amérique (Grand Canyon, Monument Valley). Ayant eu la possibilité de faire le upper et le lower, je peux me permettre de dire qu'à mon avis, le prix est exorbitant. Surtout quand il y a horseshoe à proximité. Mais celà n'engage que moi bien sur.
Et ceci, que ce soit les Navajos ou qui que ce soit d'autres. Ce n'est pas le propos. Mais il est quand même fort désagréable de se voir attribuer ce genre de pensées. Etrange celui qui visite les parcs de l'Ouest sans s'interesser à la culture Navajo ou Anasazi !
Quant au parallèle entre le prix d'une promenade de 20 mn dans un site naturel et un musée, c'est une question de culture.
Désolé de t'avoir choquée, mais je n'apprécie pas ce genre de critique un peu classique vis à vis des Navajos (ou autres).
Par contre je ne comprends pas le sens de ta phrase ? :
Etrange celui qui visite les parcs de l'Ouest sans s'interesser à la culture Navajo ou Anasazi !
Si c'est une généralité je suis d'accord, si c'est pour moi (?) étrange, car nos voyages sont fortement orientés culture indienne (et découvertes des "minorités").
Dans un futur voyage dans l'Ouest... je referais avec plaisir le tour 4x4 à MV, Antelope Lower et bateau, le Canyon de Chelly.
Désolé de t'avoir choquée, mais je n'apprécie pas ce genre de critique un peu classique vis à vis des Navajos (ou autres).
Par contre je ne comprends pas le sens de ta phrase ? :
Etrange celui qui visite les parcs de l'Ouest sans s'interesser à la culture Navajo ou Anasazi !
Si c'est une généralité je suis d'accord, si c'est pour moi (?) étrange, car nos voyages sont fortement orientés culture indienne (et découvertes des "minorités").
Dans un futur voyage dans l'Ouest... je referais avec plaisir le tour 4x4 à MV, Antelope Lower et bateau, le Canyon de Chelly.
Bon dimanche. Jean.
C'est bien parce que dans mon propos il n'y avait pas de critique et encore moins de sous-entendus sur les indiens d'Amériques que j'ai trouvé choquant ton attaque. Je n'ai fait que parler d'un site naturel, qui, s'il est beau, ne me parait cependant pas valoir le prix qu'on en demande. J'aurai dit pareil au sujet des gondoles de Venise.
Quant à la phrase qui t'interpelle, oui il s'agit d'une généralité. C'était juste pour te dire que si j'étais "anti-Navajo" ou "anti-indiens", je n'aurai pas certainement pas passé mon dernier été entre Mesa Verde, Monument Valley et les alentours de Lake Powell.
A part ça, si tu retournes dans ce coin et si tu ne l'a pas déjà fait, passe au upper. C'est le même style de canyon, mais avec tout pleins d'échelles. On a pas de transport en voiture. Mais ne pas y aller après une forte pluie car si la visite est maintenue, tu ne peux aller jusqu'au bout (mais pour autant le prix reste le même😛).
Quant à MV, c'est un incontournable (pour moi). Le site est magnifique, prenant et offre de belles émotions (même quand on est pas particulièrement fans de western). Nous l'avons parcouru seuls (presque), avec notre propre 4X4, après un orage, ce qui rendait les pierres magnifiques !
Vu le temps dont dispose PEROUROUGE, je zapperai Lake Powell et prendrait plus de temps à MV. Mais ce n'est qu'un avis..............parmi d'autres.
Et, dans un prochain voyage, nous ne referons que Lower, mais aussi MV pour la 3ème fois !
je te conseille (si tu as le bonheur d'y retourner) de faire une visite "privée" dans le Canyon de Chelly (avec Howard du Spider rock campground***). Son prix c'est ce que tu veux bien lui laisser (il m'a répondu en ces termes... mais j'ai bien sûr donné ce qui est convenable !).
Canyon de Chelly est un de nos regrets, avec Zion. Ce sera pour une prochaine fois (mais pas cette année, on fait la Grèce et les Cyclades).
Pour ceux(celles) qui marchent un peu, Zion est magnifique. Nous n'avons pas eu le temps d'explorer ce parc parce que nous avons été émerveillé par Valley of Fire et nous y avons pris tout notre temps. Résultat, il a fallu faire un choix pour ne pas faire les autres parcs "à la va-vite". Mais cela donne au moins une excuse (une raison ?) pour revenir dans ce magnifique pays.
Valley of Fire fut notre première nuit du premier voyage !!! incroyable.... à 6h30/7h00 du matin (avec mon fils qui n'est pas un lève tôt...) nous arpentions les environs de notre camping-car pour admirer et faire des photos. Un souvenir unique.
Et le lendemain on a enchaîné (un peu fort pour un début...) le Riverside Walk - Weeping rock, les Emerald pools, et Parus trail... ouf !
mais aussi quel souvenir !
Et pour le prochain (en 2014..) il y aura (encore) VoF, et la zone Kolob de Zion.
6 juillet Arriver SFO et visite Alcatraz, rues populaires, pont 8-9 Yosemite falls 10- Death Vallee -Red Rock -couché Las Vegas 11 - Direction Kanab, check in…
Les parcs ouest américains Vallee de feu Zion -Bryce-Moab les Arches-Mexicain hat-Monument Valley-Messa Verde-Flagstaff-Laug... -route 66 -Page dans quel sens…
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 11 replies
Désolée d'avance pour ce long texte!) Beaucoup de gens ont posé des questions sur leur itinéraire aux USA sur ce forum, beaucoup d'informations ont coulées…
Moi et ma compagne allons partir aux USA en juin 2020 pour faire un circuit combinant une partie de l'ouest américain et Yellowstone. Je pensais m'y prendre en…
Nous aimerions faire une voyage avec un départ de Las Vegas mais aller voir le Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon et the Wave... Avez vous des suggestions d'hotel…
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high.
Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities?
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?
