N'ayant pas réussi à faire aboutir notre projet de retour dans l'Ouest en 2018, nous avons finalement effectué un "city trip" sur la East Coast en Novembre dernier (Boston, New York, Philadelphie, Washington) qui fut également un grand moment (et un peu plus simple à organiser, mais finalement tout aussi coûteux).
Je reviens aujourd'hui pour vous demander conseil sur un nouveau projet (déjà bien avancé): Lousiane et Floride en 3 semaines !
J'ai parcouru certains carnets fort bien écrits qui m'ont déjà donné d'intéressantes informations (notamment celui de Peggy16), ainsi que de nombreux blogs et sites divers.
Nous avons choisi le mois d'Avril, qui nous convient bien et que cela semble une période qui reste encore conseillée pour la région!
Voici donc le planning "détaillé" envisagé:
J1 - TOULOUSE - NEW ORLEANS
J2 - NEW ORLEANS
J3 - NEW ORLEANS
J4 - NEW ORLEANS - HOUMA?
> Route des Plantations (Laura et Nottaway)
J5 - HOUMA - LAFAYETTE
> Excursion dans les bayous
> Thibodaux
J6 - LAFAYETTE
> Pays Cajun
> Leblanc Swamp Tour
> Vermillionville
> Breaux Bridge
> Arnaudville
J7 - LAFAYETTE - MOBILE
> Baton Rouge
J8 - MOBILE - APALICHICOLA
> Pensacola
> Miramar
> Panama City
Quelques remarques cependant si tu me le permets:
J4 : j'ai la flemme de regarder la carte, mais il me semble que la route des plantations est entre Nola et Baton Rouge et pas du côté d'Houma, non ?
Tu peux d'ailleurs faire cette route sur un A/R journée depuis Nola avec les 2 incontournables Oak Alley Plantation et Laura Plantation.
- Entre Nola et Lafayette, une halte à New Iberia et sur Avery Island ? Tabasco et éventuellement Jungle Garden (cher)
- J6 : il me semble un peu chargé. Peut-être le répartir sur J6, J7, sachant qu'à Baton Rouge il n'y a rien de particulier à faire et tu files ensuite directement sur Mobile (que je ne connais pas).
J8 : Pensacola mérite une demie journée pour le musée aéronaval. Panama City, c'est juste pour la plage me semble t'il.
A côté d'Apalachicola, il y a le St George Island State park qui mérite aussi une demie journée pour "buller" au bord d'une plage de sable blanc dans un cadre préservé. A faire, si vous ne le faites pas sur la côte Est de la Floride.
J9 : J'aurai fait une pose à Crystal River pour nager avec les lamantins. Puis route pour Orlando avec une autre activité en cours car pour les lamantins on a fini à midi.
J12 : Oui, Cap Canaveral vaut le coup. Même pour les non passionnés. C'est mythique. Eventuellement, le caser sur un A/R journée en J11 depuis Orlando en alternance avec les parcs.
J13 : Tampa rien à voir (juste le quartier d'Ybor en soirée, mais celui/celle qui conduit ne boit pas). St Petersburg : juste le musée Dali (2heures). Partir tôt d'Orlando, faire le musée Dali (si intéressé.es), l'outlet d'Ellenton. Le sunshine sky bridge, c'est juste un pont. Magnifique, mais ce que je veux dire c'est qu'on circule juste dessus (magique) mais ce n'est pas une "attraction" qui prend du temps. Il y a une aire (payante) pour les pécheurs qui permet d'avoir de beaux points de vue, mais c'est maxi 1/2heure.
J13 à J16 : J'opterais pour un seul hébergement (par exemple vers Fort Meyer le long de l'I75). J'ai fait les deux, ça me semble le plus équilibré même si ça fait faire un peu de route en +
Tu peux faire :
- J13 : Arrivée sur Fort Meyer
- J14 : Sanibel Island (perso, j'ai pas trop aimé)
- J15 : Ringling Museum à Sarasota le matin + un tour dans la ville et couché de soleil sur le peer à Naples
- J16 : Route Naples Florida City via les Everglades en passant par la route 41 et pas par l'I75
- J18/J20 : RAS
J21/J24 : A moins que ce soit pour faire la fête, il y a un jour de trop à Miami que tu peux utiliser ailleurs pour détendre ton circuit.
Par exemple en restant faire plage 1 journée quelque part sur la côte Est (+chaud qu'à Miami). OK, c'est nul de faire 10h d'avion pour "perdre" une journée à la plage, mais souvenirs garantis d'une eau chaude avec les pélicans qui te volent autour en plein mois d'avril !
Merci encore pour ta réponse et tes conseils. J'en prends bonne note.
Déjà je suis rassuré de voir que le circuit te semble équilibré, ce qui veut dire que je ne suis pas trop mal parti.
Pour la nuit du J4, effectivement je ne sais pas trop où la placer. Je ne veux pas revenir sur NOLA du fait des prix des logements assez exorbitants. Je pensais que descendre vers Houma pourrait être intéressant mais je suis ouvert à une autre idée. Est-ce que Houma (et cette partie Sud) vaut le coup d’œil malgré tout?
Je vais voir pour répartir un peu toutes les visites notés en J6 sur J5 et J7. J'ai encore du boulot sur cette partie là pour organiser ces 3 jours. Des immanquables dans la région selon toi?
Pour la J8, j'ai noté ces quelques villes mais plus pour indiquer le trajet prévu que vraiment pour s'y arrêter longuement. J'espère que nous aurons un peu de temps pour aller voir le St George Island State Park en fin de journée.
J9 : Je note Crystal River. Plus intéressant selon toi que passer par la Ocala National Forest?
Je trouvais d'après Google Maps que les J7/8/9 étaient assez longues en temps de roulage, c'est aussi pour ça que je n'ai pas prévu grand chose si ce n'est des passages "rapides" sur certains points.
Je note pour Cap Canaveral en J12, même si nous ne sommes pas des fanas.
Pour la J13, effectivement c'est plus un passage également par Tampa et St Petersburg (et donc le Bridge), on profitera probablement de cette journée pour faire une pause shopping, et une fin de journée à la plage.
Nous aimons bien la plage donc rien de perdu à passer quelques heures sur une belle plage!
Effectivement pour J13 à16, je me suis longuement posé la question et j'avais choisi cette option pour faire une descente de la côte Est "à la cool", en diminuant les A/R et pour prendre le temps, notamment en fin de journée. Est-ce qu'un passage par le Myakka River State Park peut valoir le détour?
Pour J18 et 19, Je me posais la question de faire une nuit à Key Largo et une à Key West au lieu de prévoir une journée pleine à Key West, mais comme tu ne m'as rien dit je suppose que tu partage cet avis? Et arrivés à ce stade du circuit, je sais que se poser un peu sera grandement apprécié.
Pour J21 à 24, j'ai prévu 3 jours à Miami, car je pensais faire pas mal de choses, South Beach et Downtown évidemment, mais peut-être aussi passer à Key Biscane, et éventuellement remonter vers West Palm Beach? Plus peut-être un match de basket. Je pense que 3 jours ne seront pas de trop (je pensais en mettre 4 initialement). Il faut que je travaille ces journées également.
Est-ce que Houma (et cette partie Sud) vaut le coup d’œil malgré tout?
Pour Houma, je ne saurai pas te répondre car nous n'avons fait qu'y passer. J'avais fait sur la même journée la route de Lafayette à Nola en s'arrêtant à Avery Island et un peu à New Iberia. Mais j'ai lu sur le forum que certains y font une halte pour une nuit et visitent les environs et en sont content.es.
Pour la route entre Nola et Lafayette, plutôt que de prendre l'I90, je te conseille de passer par les petites route : la Route 70 que tu récupères depuis l'I10 jusque Morgan. Puis la route 182 qui longe le bassin. Beaucoup plus pittoresque.
Je ne veux pas revenir sur NOLA du fait des prix des logements assez exorbitants.
Tu n'es pas obligé de dormir en hyper centre. Tu peux aussi regarder les hôtels dans les environs. Par exemple le Best Western Bayou Inn à Westwego qui fait l'unanimité (dont la mienne😉) Les $ économisés payeront très largement le parking dans le centre.
Des immanquables
Pas particulièrement, tu as déjà cité le principal : le tour avec Leblanc!
En plus de Vermillonville, passer à l'Acadian Cultural Center qui est juste à côté, c'est une grosse demie heure de visite, intéressant sur l'histoire de la migration des acadiens et de leur installation et mode de vie en Louisiane (de mémoire, c'est gratuit). A Vermillonville, je te déconseille la ballade en barque dans les bayous qui présente peu d'intérêt. En soirée, un repas dans un "fait dodo". Enfin, quand je dis en soirée ... aux USA en général et en Louisiane en particulier, on mange tôt. Donc y aller vers 7h car à 20h30 ils arrêtent la musique et remballent!
Aux alentours de Lafayette, il y a St Martinville. Rien d'exceptionnel, mais mignon.
Je pense qu'en J7 tu peux faire la route directe de Lafayette à Pensacola (avec ou sans détour par St Francisville. J'ai bien aimé, mais ça n'a rien d'absolument exceptionnel!).
Prendre l'I10 au départ, puis une fois passé Nola, prendre la route 90 en passant par Bay St Louis, jusque Biloxy puis retourner chercher l'I10. Ca consomme du temps, mais tu en auras et c'est également plus pittoresque.
J8 : Musée de Pensacola le matin, route pour Apalachicola.
J9 : Route pour la Floride en passant par St Georges SP.
Je note Crystal River. Plus intéressant selon toi que passer par la Ocala National Forest?
Je ne connais pas Ocala, mais c'est différent. Crystal River, c'est surtout pour faire la sortie pour découvrir les manatees. Ocala est souvent cité sur le forum et ceux/celles qui y sont allés en sont content.es
Est-ce qu'un passage par le Myakka River State Park peut valoir le détour?
Désolé, jamais fait ce parc 🤪
Pour J18 et 19, Je me posais la question de faire une nuit à Key Largo
En fait je ne connais KW que lors d'une visite pendant une croisière (Je devais faire la route cet été de Miami à KW, mais j'ai dû annuler).
Le grand classique (généralement dans l'autre sens) fait par les forumeurs.meuses et qui semble donner satisfaction, c'est J1 : Everglade + route pour KW ; J2 : KW ; J3 Route KW-Miami avec ballades en court et/ou snorkelling.
Du coup, tu noteras que ça te fait gagner une journée car en J16 tu fais la route jusque Florida City, J17 visite des Everglades et route pour KW, J18 KW, J19 route pour Miami (éventuellement, tu peux t'arrêter pour la nuit à Florida City ce qui te fera moins cher d'hôtel.
Voilà pour quelques remarques en espérant que d'autres alimenteront ta réflexion pour avoir plusieurs sons de cloches!
Avec mes amis nous prévoyons un beau voyage à l'hiver 2013. Nous avons fait le Yucatan en février dernier en mode sac à dos, (c'était vraiment magnifique et…
L'année passée, nous avons réaliser un circuit en voiture en Floride qui nous a beaucoup plu et nous aimerions cette année finir de découvrir le sud de la…
Je voudrais faire un roadtrip en Floride et aussi ensuite en Louisiane ça serait dans les mois avril -mai de l'année prochaine 2014 (6 à 8 semaines) donc je…
Tout d'abord, je vous remercie pour tous les postes que j'ai lut jusqu'ici sur ce forum et qui m'ont tres bien renseigné, si certaine de mes questions ont deja…
Je suis en train de préparer un voyage en Floride et en Louisiane. Nous avons 16 jours à disposition avec une voiture de location au départ de Miami et…
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?
