Apres une infidélité aux US en 2017 (voyage au Japon), nous (2 adultes et fiston de 16 ans maintenant) comptons retourner aux US cet été entre mi juillet et mi août).
Ayant déjà passablement bourlingue a l'ouest des Rocheuses (5 étés) et ayant aussi visité par 2 fois le nord est, nous nous décidons enfin pour une région qui nous attire, a savoir la Nouvelle Orleans et alentours.
Alors oui, nous sommes parfaitement conscients que la saison n'est pas idéale (chaud et humide) mais décidément nous n'arriverons pas a caser cette destination sur des petites vacances (printemps ou automne)
Alors j'ai déjà lu quelques récits de voyages et beaucoup s'articulent sur la boucle NOLA, Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis. A priori on partirait sur un itinéraire similaire sauf que nous repartirions de Orlando.
Pourquoi Orlando ? Ben il s’avère que les prix pour Atlanta sont étonnement élevés et que une arrivée NOLA, départ Orlando s’avère meilleur marche, de fait un LYS-MSY-LYS via ATL est même moins cher qu'un LYS-ATL-LYS (secrets du Yield management).
En outre dans notre trip initial on voulait aussi passer par la cote Atlantique sud (Charleston, Savhannah)
Voila, donc notre voyage serait
1) J1 a J3 Arrivée NOLA en soiree (3 nuits sur place)
Faut-il compter plus ? Des hotels a suggerer ?
2) J4 a J8 3-4 nuits autour de Lafayette / Houma
Vaut-il mieux rayonner depuis un endroit unique ?
Idéalement être sur la cote serait sympa
3) J9 montée vers le nord en longeant le Mississippi pour arrive a Memphis/Nashville
Y a t-il des endroits incontournables a visiter sur cette montée. Dans certains récits, il est parle de Jackson ? Qu y a-t-il ?
4) J10-J12 Memphis/Nashville
Sur 3 nuits est-ce raisonnable ? Bien sur, on irait Graceland.
5) plein est direction Charleston
La se pose la question d'Atlanta, cela vaut-il vraiment la peine de s'y arrêter en milieu d’étape et sachant qu'on sera encombre d'une voiture. Si oui faut-il consacrer 2, 3 nuits ?
6) Charleston-Savannah (2 nuits de chaque)
7) descente sur Orlando, avec 1 nuit arrêt sur le trajet puis une autre vers Cap Canaveral
8) 2 dernières nuits a Orlando vers Mickey. On y séjournerai sur place en prenant la package 3 jours de parcs, 2 nuits. (le départ d'Orlando s'effectuerai dans la soirée)
On pourrai descendre sur Miami mais la cela ferai beaucoup.
A priori, en miles (~1630), le trajet est dans le même ordre de grandeur que des round trips classiques dans l'ouest.
Voila toutes suggestions et conseils de la communauté Voyageforum sur des points d’intérêts particuliers sur le trajet est bienvenu
Voici quelques remarques, fruit de notre expérience. Pour les hôtels : il s'agit uniquement d'hôtels en périphérie (pour une question de budget), mais qui ne nous ont pas posés de soucis pour rejoindre le centre et trouver à se garer à tarif correct. Nos enfants, de l'âge de ton ado, étaient avec nous et ça leur a convenu.
1) J1 a J3 Arrivée NOLA en soiree (3 nuits sur place)
On ne compte pas le J1. Ca fait 1 journée pour Nola + 1 jour pour la route des plantations en A/R journée depuis Nola : correct. Une journée de plus à Nola serait un plus pour approfondir.
On ne peut que recommander la visite du centre de Nola avec "Le monde Créole".
Pour les plantations, nos préférées (mais ce n'est pas trop original car c'est le choix de beaucoup!) ont été "Laura Plantation" (certaines visites en français, se renseigner) et Oak Alley Plantation.
Hotel : Best Western Bayou Inn, Westwego.
2) J4 a J8 3-4 nuits autour de Lafayette / Houma
Tu peux prévoir J4 : Houma et environs, nuit Houma. J5 : Route Houma - La fayette (visite en route, nuit Lafayette. J6 : Les bayous aux alentours de Lafayette. Tu peux approfondir une nuit supplémentaire sur l'une des étapes, mais ça me semble suffisant.
Hotel : Fairfield Inn La fayette
Si fan d'aérospacial : possibilité d'un A/R journée depuis Lafayette pour Houston, visite de la NASA (uniquement pour les fans et uniquement en prenant le "Level9 tour", sinon très décevant)
3) J9 montée vers le nord en longeant le Mississippi pour arrive a Memphis/Nashville
4) J10-J12 Memphis/Nashville
J9 : Oui pour le temps de route. Pour les visites en route, je ne sais pas, on l'a fait en avion. Attention : longer le Mississippi ne présente aucun intérêt. C'est décevant et sur la plus grande partie on ne voit rien car il y a des digues .
J10 : Visite de Memphis (Lorraine Motel + un studio + déambuler dans la ville). Je ne te conseille pas notre hôtel. J11 matin : Graceland (réservation nécessaire, s'y prendre le plus tôt possible) puis route pour Nashville avec arrêt à Jackson (petit centre intéressant, gare Greyhound)
J11 : Visite de Nashville (nous, on n'a pas aimé!). Hotel Best Western Sunrise Inn.
Et J12 : A/R journée route des distilleries. Ca on a aimé 🙂 Pour les visites , voir ce qui est autorisé avec 1ado, les nôtres n'étaient pas avec nous. Nous avons fait Jack Daniel's : très bien. Et une distillerie artisanale, ça a été un bon équilibre.
5) plein est direction Charleston. Là se pose la question d'Atlanta
L'intérêt d'Atlanta est pour moi surtout lié à Martin Luther King. Et pour l'ado : Coca Cola! La ville mérite quand même une journée. Donc : Oui, c'est à faire! Tu peux envisager ainsi : J13 : Route pour Atlanta en passant par Stone mountain (je ne connais pas particulièrement ce trajet, peut-être y a-t'il d’autres points intéressants). Hôtel Best western South lake à Morrow. J14 : Visite d'Atlanta (Martin Luther King National Historic Site, Aquarium, Coca Cola)
6) Charleston-Savannah (2 nuits de chaque)
J15 : Route pour Charleston (je ne connais pas cette route, nous avons fait Charleston en venant de la côte Est). Hôtel : Hollyday inn express US HWY17 & I-526. J16 : Visite Charleston. J17 : Route pour Savannah, visite de Magnolia plantation, visite de la ville de Beaufort. Hôtel : Baymont Inn & Suites, Savannah South. J18 : visite de Savannah.
7) Descente sur Orlando, avec 1 nuit arrêt sur le trajet puis une autre vers Cap Canaveral
De Savannah, route et visite de St Augustine. Soit juste tu visites St Augustine et ensuite tu traces la route pour Orlando (c'est ce que nous avons fait). Soit tu prends ton temps et nuit à St Augustine, puis le lendemain route pour Orlando, mais ça te consomme une journée ce qui, à mon humble avis, n'est pas justifié.
Indépendamment de ce choix, j'irai directement à Orlando et je ferai un A/R journée pour Kennedy Space Center depuis Orlando. Ca t'évite un changement d'hôtel et ça se fait très bien. En plus, ça permet d'alterner "un parc-visite KSC-un autre parc".
3) J9 montée vers le nord en longeant le Mississippi pour arrive a Memphis/NashvilleY a t-il des endroits incontournables a visiter sur cette montée. Dans certains récits, il est parle de Jackson ? Qu y a-t-il ?
En partant de NOLA en rmontant, il y a :
1 : Natchez et sa Old City;
2 : Un peu de route sur la Natchez Trace ParkWay;
3 : Vicksburg et son monumental musée ou plutôt parc dédié à la guerre de Sécession;
4: Clarksdale et le musée du Blues et , of course, le Bar de Morgan Freeman, Le Ground zero club;
5: Entre Memphis et Nashville, le musée du Rock A Billy sur Jackson, un incontournable dans le prolongement de Graceland.
Tout est dans mon récit de voyage au Sud des States :
Pour ce circuit nous avons toujours sejourne dans les La Quinta Inn tres bons hotels basiques chambre de UN et Deux Lits des fois communicante et petit dejeuner continental ainsi que parking inclus
Le Mexique pour toujours après de nomb Les chiens aboient la caravane passe
Merci Caussat pour le infos detaillees
(et aussi aux autres contributeurs)
Au moins, le tour tel que nous l'envisageons n'apparait pas "heretique" 😉
Interessante la suggestion de NASA@Houston ...mais bon comme on ira a CapCanaveral...
Au sujet de Nashville, je remarque que les avis sont mitiges...il semblerait qu'il y ait plus d'ambiance le week end. Par contre au dessous de 21 ans, on ne peux pas rester au dela de 21 heures dans les bars a priori ...on va scruter un peu plus
Pour Atlanta, il y a consensus pour le centre Martin Luther King, ...
Des aquarium on en a fait tellement (Osaka, Chicago, ...) on pourra s'en passer.
Au sujet de notre ado, il tient absolument a aller a Atlanta, non pas pour CocaCola....mais pour le "burgerizza" 😕 aux Atlanta Braves (baseball stadium)
Si vous avez le courage, vous pouvez chercher sur Google Image ce qu'est cette horreur 🏴☠️...mais bon c'est ce que notre ado a decouvert a Atlanta
Peut etre qu'on va negocier "burgerizza" a Atlanta contre distilleries vers Nashville
Note que si le calendrier de Braves coincide avec notre passage, on se laisserait bien tenter pour aller voir encore un match (on a deja fait a SF, Oakland et Seattle).
Non pas pour le sport en lui-meme mais l'ambiance est sympa et tres typique US... Par deux fois, on eu l'occasion d'aller a une soiree avec feux d'artifice apres le match...Ca vaut le coup..on peut aller sur le terrain pour assister au feu d'artifice et la plupart des gens y deroulent leur plaids...Les prix des matchs sont raisonnables pour autant qu'on n'est assez loin du terrain...De toute facon rien que les stadium sont impressionant (SF : belle vue sur la baie)
Voila c'etait mon petit conseil a la communaute an passant 😛
Pour Orlando, a priori le package 2 nuits + 3jours visite s'entend dans la continuite.
Notre idee est de loger pas trop loin de Disney pour arriver assez tot, deposer la voiture et profiter d'un parc le 1er jour deja...
Encore une fois merci
Ce forum est toujours autant chouette...dommage que je ne peux pas consacrer autant de temps que je voudrais a le lire et surtout contribuer
Je viens de regarder le burgerizza ! Effectivement, avec 2 litres de bière (pour les +de21), ça devrait passer !!!
Concernant Nashville, nous n'avons pas accroché car nous ne sommes pas fan de country music*. Nous avons d'ailleurs vraiment eu le sentiment d'avoir perdu de l'argent en visitant le Country Music Hall of Fame alors que d'autres l'encensent. De plus, la ville ne présente pas d'attrait particulier architecturalement parlant ni d'autres centres d'intérêt que la Country Music.
Maintenant, quitte à passer pas loin, autant y consacrer une journée histoire de ne pas regretter de ne pas y être allé 😉
Cap Canaveral et Houston sont un peu différents. Mais Houston ne vaut le coup que pour le "Level 9 Tour" (visite semi-privative) qui permet d'être plus proche des installations : la piscine où s’entraînent les astronautes, la salle de contrôle de l'ISS, où celle plus historique du programme Apollo. Sinon, c'est très basique. Etant fan, ma famille m'avait offert l'entrée et j'ai adoré. Eux sont restés profiter de la piscine de l'hôtel et un peu de shopping à Lafayette. C'était parfait ainsi.
Cordialement,
Caussat
* : pensez, pour la route, à prendre des CD ou à vous faire une play list sur clé USB, car dans pas mal d'endroits on ne capte que des radio locales diffusant ... uniquement de la country!
Bonjour François
J'ignore si tu as lu mon CR "de la nouvelle Orléans à Chicago
Je pense que tu y trouveras un certain nombre de réponses à tes questions.
Mon CR est assez complet mais je suis à ta disposition si tu as d'autres interrogations.
Je prépare un road trip de 15 jours en août 2020. Je pars de New york en voiture pour aller à BAR HARBOR. Merci de m'indiquer les endroits les plus intéressant…
Amérique du Nord › États-Unis / Canada · 29 replies
L'été se termine et nous pensons déjà au suivant. Voila trois ans que nous restons en Europe, aussi l’Amérique nous manque énormément. Nous avons réfléchie à…
Amérique du Nord › États-Unis / Canada/ Québec › Montréal et Laval · 12 replies
Je suis entrain de planifier mon road trip pour cet été et j'aimerais vos avis. Je ferais ce road trip avec ma compagne et notre enfant de 4 ans. Donc il faut…
Viens de m'inscrire au forum car je prepare mon itineraire pour mon voyage de cette été et je voulais des avis. Je pars pendant 22 jours et le circuit que…
Nous sommes un jeune couple, et on compte partir le 22 décembre 2015 avec un retour au environ du 10 Janvier 2016... L'idée serait de passer une semaine 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?
