We’re thinking of heading back to the US but we’re still debating the itinerary. We’d love to revisit New York, but after that...? We’ve already explored the East Coast without making it down to Florida. So we’re wondering if we should go there. New Orleans has been catching our eye, and Memphis with its blues-rock vibe is also really appealing.
A road trip that would start on the East Coast and head inland/mid-country. Any suggestions?
Or... we’re even considering stretching all the way to the West Coast:
- Passing through LA, which we’d ultimately skipped on our West Coast trip, but maybe it’s not the best time to go with all those wildfires that have devastated iconic spots...
- Or heading north to Washington and/or Oregon states, or closer, Montana.
Anyway, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what kind of loop we could do in 4 weeks... Given that in 2023, we spent nearly 6 weeks in the West, covering San Francisco, Yosemite, Death Valley, Mammoth Lake, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Page and its surroundings, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce, and Las Vegas.
On that note, I have to give a big shout-out to Thibaut, aka ITAT, for his time and invaluable advice in planning that West Coast trip. Since then, I’ve really enjoyed taking the time to share tips about places I’ve visited!
Speaking of which, don’t hesitate to PM me for West Coast advice! Otherwise, I’ll be sharing a recap of that trip in a travel journal—currently in Word—that I’ll post on the forum later. For those interested, I also made a video montage (with clickable chapters in the description) of those 5 weeks here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx8d4ommhv4. Just a heads-up: the Bodie videos aren’t mine (my GoPro died), and the grass was completely green when we passed through, unlike in the video.
Here’s a doable itinerary that includes Florida (which I really like!):
Day 1–6: NY
Day 7–9: Philadelphia
Day 10–14: Washington
Day 15–17: Charleston – Savannah
Day 18: St. Augustine (Daytona?)
Day 19: Cape Canaveral
Day 20–22: Miami
Day 23–27: Everglades, East Coast of Florida, beach downtime
Day 28–30: Orlando. Return flight from Orlando
If you’d rather fly back from Miami, you can flip it after Cape Canaveral: Orlando, East Coast, Everglades, Miami.
We’re not really beach people (unless they’re as stunning as the beaches in Polynesia or at least like those in Corsica/Sardinia). Plus, we’re wondering about Miami: aside from Little Havana and Wynwood Walls, I’m not sure if it’s really worth it.
For Philadelphia, we already went in 2017 and don’t feel like going back.
Washington doesn’t appeal to us much either (unlike the state of Washington).
So, is it possible to redistribute the days differently? Or did you suggest this because it’s on the route—I’m not sure. Just to let you know, we’re not against the idea of a domestic flight if it saves time and lets us see more of the "country."
After your message, I dug around online and found that the landscapes in St. Augustine seem really beautiful and unique—from swamps/bayous to Madison Blue Springs.
I don’t see if that’s on the route, but Silver Glen Springs also sounds appealing.
Finally, is it feasible to fit Nashville and Memphis into this trip?
Yeah, but since I’m a teacher, I can’t take off for more than 10 days at any other time than summer...
The North then—sure, why not? We were worried everything might look a bit too similar (plus, we already head to a Nordic country and the mountains near home every summer). But maybe we’re totally wrong!
We loved visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone during our 5-week road trip out West. What was great was how it created diversity with the red-rock parks and all.
You do have the option of a domestic flight. That’s what I usually do with the low-cost airline Southwest, which has the advantage of offering 2 free checked bags.
Here’s what you could do (I’ve done it!):
Day 1 to 6: NY
Day 7 to 9: Atlanta with a domestic flight. In the summer, you can find direct flights with Southwest starting at $99 all taxes included
Day 10-11: Natchez
Day 12 to 18: Louisiana
Day 19 to 21: Road trip to Florida with stops in Pensacola, Apalachicola, Crystal River
Day 22 and 23: Florida’s East Coast (Yes, the white sand beaches are gorgeous, even if they’re different from Polynesia).
That leaves you about a week (if we’re thinking of a one-month trip) before heading to Orlando or Miami for your return flight.
You could either:
- Take a detour through Nashville or Memphis, or
- Spend a little more time in Florida.
And maybe add an extra day in Louisiana and/or New York.
By the way, for this kind of itinerary, I’d actually end with New York—it’s the perfect grand finale, and your return flight will be shorter.
As for the summer heat in the South, it’s never been an issue for us.
Okay, thanks for the info on that domestic flight.
The more travel journals I read, the more I want to spend a few days in Chicago. That would change the itinerary a bit (maybe fly from France to Chicago in that case?). On the other hand, Miami doesn’t really appeal to me. But maybe that’s a mistake and I have a bad preconception about it! !
Yes, but as a teacher, I can’t leave for more than 10 days at any other time than during the summer...
Oh, that’s too bad! We’re used to Florida in the dry season, but we went there once in August for 3 weeks and suffered 😛 Couldn’t do our usual walks—we just hopped from AC to AC. That intense humid heat that doesn’t even drop at night? Never again!!!
The North, then—sure, why not? We were worried everything might look a bit the same (plus we already travel to a northern country and the mountains at home every summer). But maybe we’re totally wrong!
We loved visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone during our 5-week road trip out West. What was great was how it created diversity with the red-rock parks, etc.
What would you suggest for a one-month trip in this case?
I’ve only been to Montana among the states I mentioned 😉 ... and Glacier NP, for example, is *so* different from Yellowstone!
As someone from Haute-Savoie, we know the Alps well, yet we’re still in awe of the Rockies—they’re ultimately different from home, and on a scale that’s just incomparable.
I’ve only been to Montana among the states I mentioned 😉 ... and Glacier NP, for example, is *so* different from Yellowstone! For a one-month road trip, you’ll need to do some research....
Texas en 2007 - Floride : 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - 2018 - 2019 - 2021 - 2023 - 2025 - Montana et Wyoming : 2022 - Arizona et Utah : 2023 - Montana en 2024 - Nevada, Arizona et Utah : 2025
http://acheterenfloride.blogspot.fr/
D19 to D21: Route to Florida with stops in Pensacola, Apalachicola, Crystal River
D22 and D23: Florida’s East Coast (Yes, the white sand beaches are gorgeous, even if different from Polynesia).
The white sand beaches are actually more on Florida’s West Coast ;)
As for the summer heat in the South, it’s never been an issue for us.
Let’s just say it takes a bit of getting used to, especially in the southwest :cool: but it’s true that some people handle a feels-like 45°C (113°F) without any problem ;) And since not everyone does, it’s good to mention it, I think, because the intense humid heat can impact activities....
Texas en 2007 - Floride : 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - 2018 - 2019 - 2021 - 2023 - 2025 - Montana et Wyoming : 2022 - Arizona et Utah : 2023 - Montana en 2024 - Nevada, Arizona et Utah : 2025
http://acheterenfloride.blogspot.fr/
Tastes and colors...! Miami isn't anything special—it's just 2 days, then moving on to other spots in Florida.
I loved Chicago (I've been there twice) and New York (I've been there six times). I just think they're two cities with some similarities, and doing both on the same trip might feel a bit repetitive.
That said, here’s a rough outline for a big trip:
D1 to D6: NY
D7 - D8: Drive and visit Newport
D9: Newport + drive to Boston
D10: Visit Boston
D11 - D14: Cape Cod
D15: Salem
D16: Flight to Detroit + visit (depending on the time)
D17: Detroit (Ford museums)
D18: Detroit + drive to Chicago
D19 to D21: Chicago + Milwaukee
If you have time left, you could add 1 or 2 days in New York and maybe do a round trip to Niagara Falls.
If you choose Niagara Falls, you could consider a flight from Boston to Buffalo instead of Boston to Detroit.
Another option (possibly without NY, otherwise it might be hard to fit into a month) could be arriving in Boston, then heading up to Quebec and Montreal, then making your way to Detroit via Kingston, Toronto, Niagara Falls, and finally Chicago before returning.
I did that in 2016—it’s here.
Well... I’m jumping into this discussion because we’re really torn about our trip this August.
We’re leaving from the 3rd to the 23rd and landing in Nashville (my daughter will be working there soon).
We’re thinking of staying 4 days in Nashville and then heading out on August 7th for...
Option 1: The Deep South: Heading to Louisiana and then the beaches (Pensacola), so passing through Memphis, Vicksburg, Natchez, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, then looping back via Montgomery, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains.
OR Option 2: A little less south: Heading to Memphis, Birmingham, Montgomery, Savannah, Charleston (beaches), then Atlanta and the Great Smoky Mountains.
What do you think of these two routes? In terms of distance and climate, is one more suitable than the other?
Aside from the South, I’d considered Chicago, but I’m not sure what kind of loop we could do after that city.
Option 1: The South: Head to Louisiana then the beaches (Pensacola), so passing through Memphis, Vicksburg, Natchez, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, then heading back up via Montgomery, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains.
From my point of view (Cassat isn’t afraid of the heat!), it’ll be *very* hot in the South in August.
OR a little less south: Head to Memphis, Birmingham, Montgomery, Savannah, Charleston (beaches), then Atlanta and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Climate-wise, this route seems a bit better, though it’s still hot around Charleston, Savannah, and Atlanta (humid subtropical climate like Florida).
Apart from the South... I’d thought about Chicago, but I don’t really see a loop to do after that city.
Otherwise, you could take a domestic flight to Montana—temperatures are perfect in August, and there’s plenty to see with neighboring Wyoming (Yellowstone NP, Grand Teton, Glacier NP).
Texas en 2007 - Floride : 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - 2018 - 2019 - 2021 - 2023 - 2025 - Montana et Wyoming : 2022 - Arizona et Utah : 2023 - Montana en 2024 - Nevada, Arizona et Utah : 2025
http://acheterenfloride.blogspot.fr/
Yeah, that’s what I was thinking for Chicago and New York. We’ve already been to New York several times because I have family living in Basking Ridge (about 45 minutes from NY), and I’ve already done a good part of the East Coast, including Boston, Cape Cod, Salem, Nantucket, etc.
So now we’re leaning toward 2 or 3 days in Chicago, then driving down to Nashville. The problem is there isn’t much to see along the way (even Memphis, after looking into it more, doesn’t seem like it’d necessarily be our thing).
So the question is: should we just take an internal flight from Chicago to Orlando, for example, then do the plantation route, Lake Martin, Savannah, St. Augustine, New Orleans, and drive up to Nashville? And from Nashville, take a flight to New York.
(Though if that ends up feeling too rushed and it’d be better to explore Florida more in-depth by heading south—Miami, etc.—while we’re there, we’re open to skipping NY. But we haven’t been back since 2017, and it’s a good opportunity to see family!)
Does that seem doable?
Now the next step is figuring out what to do each day, and I’ll admit that for the Florida/Louisiana part, it’s a bit of a struggle. Reading different blogs and travel journals, I’ve noted places I’d like to visit, like Lake Martin, the plantation route, Savannah, New Orleans (though I’m reading more and more that it might not be worth it if we’re already doing Savannah...), St. Augustine with Madison Blue Springs and Silver Glen Springs. But I’m having trouble organizing a route because I’m not sure how much time to spend in each place, etc. Maybe you have some book/blog suggestions on this?
It’s doable. I’d just take a flight from Chicago to Savannah (there are some, I checked on Google Flights) and then do:
1) The part of Florida you’re interested in
2) Drive or take a domestic flight to New Orleans (from Orlando or Tampa)
3) Louisiana
4) Memphis, Nashville
5) Return flight to France from Atlanta.
I preferred Memphis over Nashville, especially for the Civil Rights section (the Lorraine Motel), which you can wrap up in Atlanta.
So we're leaning towards 2 or 3 days in Chicago, then heading down to Nashville. The problem is there isn't much to see along the way (even Memphis, after looking into it more, doesn't seem like it'd necessarily be our thing).
Hi there, yeah, the routes from Chicago to Nashville or Memphis aren’t exactly the most scenic. As for the rest, Nashville is all about music and its dedicated museums, and the same goes for Memphis with Rock/Blues. In Memphis, there’s Graceland, but you’ve got to be a fan of the King. And the Rock museums around Beale Street. About an hour’s drive from Nashville, you’ve got Lynchburg! The must-visit temple of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery! Once you’re in Nashville, you can take the Natchez Trace Parkway to Vicksburg—a truck-free route! And further on, New Orleans, but it’ll be hot. For the return trip, you could head back up through Mobile and Alabama to catch a flight from Atlanta! Or check out the beaches in Pensacola.
After careful consideration, your itinerary (thanks again for your suggestions!!) actually seems pretty good. I’m starting to wonder if it’s really necessary to include Savannah in the end if I’m going to New Orleans... because that’s still a lot of driving. St. Augustine looks really nice, but is it worth making the whole trip just for "that"? Isn’t it a bit rushed? Won’t we find similar things elsewhere, closer to New Orleans or Orlando?
- For the internal flight between Orlando and NOLA: wouldn’t it be better to drive? I found two beaches that look really beautiful: Navarre Beach and Opal Beach. As I said, we’re not big beach people, but if these are stunning and on the way, we won’t look a gift horse in the mouth ^^
- Then we’d take a final flight from NOLA to New York.
And yeah, I think I’m going to drop the idea of Memphis and Nashville. It’s a lot of driving, and there’s not much to see along the way. Plus, reading "Oltean’s" travel journal (what a beautiful writer!) kinda turned me off those two cities a bit...
Question about visiting plantations:
I’m having trouble deciding—would you recommend visiting several, or is one enough?
Which one(s) in particular? I was leaning toward Oak Plantation, but since you can see the Oak Alley from outside, I’m thinking maybe Whitney Plantation (for its slave memorial) or Laura Plantation for its colorful vibe would be better.
-About the route between Orlando and New Orleans—aside from the two beaches I mentioned earlier, what else do you recommend seeing or doing along the way?
is it really necessary to include Savannah in the equation if I'm going to New Orleans after all?
Personally, I think the antebellum houses are prettier and more numerous around Charleston, Beaufort, and Savannah. However, as you said, it’s a big detour, and you’ll already get a taste of them in NOLA. In Louisiana, you could also add a short stop in Iberia, where there are some lovely ones.
About the internal flight between Orlando and NOLA—isn’t the road trip worth it?
It’s hard to advise you—it’s a very personal choice, especially depending on how much time you have.
About the route between Orlando and New Orleans, aside from the two beaches I mentioned earlier, what else would you recommend seeing or doing along the way?
By car, you could spend a day in Florida at Caladesi Island State Park (beautiful white sand beaches, a bit of a remote vibe if you stay away from the center).
And half a day in Crystal River for swimming with the manatees.
For beaches, between Florida and Pensacola, I really liked St. George Island State Park. But that was off-season—it seems packed in the summer.
It could also be a chance (if you’re into it) to spend half a day at the aviation museum in Pensacola (the city itself isn’t much to write home about). And if you time it right (check their schedule), you might catch the Blue Angels’ training—the U.S. equivalent of the Patrouille de France.
Question about plantation visits: I’m struggling to decide—would you recommend visiting several?
I think two plantations are plenty. Pick ones that are quite different.
I really liked the "small" Laura Plantation. It’s best to visit after the (French-language) tour of the French Quarter in NOLA with Le Monde Créole, since the history of the family that owned Laura Plantation ties into that tour.
Oak Alley Plantation is great—worth the photo from the road (even if parking is technically off-limits!).
We visited another plantation with lots of info on how enslaved people were treated, but I can’t remember which one!
Travailler, étudier et vivre à l'étranger › États-Unis · 3 replies
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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?
