Dans le cadre de notre voyage de noces, nous souhaitons partir en 2012 (septembre ?) dans le nord-est des USA + Canada, afin de terminer en apothéose par New-York. Le voyage durera environ 2 semaines. Nous souhaitons avoir différents avis afin de savoir si notre parcours est réalisable et surtout intéressant.
Nous avons une idée de départ, avec quelques options à rajouter éventuellement.
Merci de nous dire ce qui vous semble indispensable ou superflu, si les temps sont suffisants dans chaque ville afin de pouvoir visiter les choses importantes.
Une petite chose, nous ne sommes pas très « musées culturelle ou artistique ».
Itinéraire de départ :
J1 : France – Toronto
J2 : Toronto
J3 : Toronto – Niagara Falls (1h40)
Niagara Falls – Niagara on The Lake (0h30)
J4: Niagara on The Lake – Washington (8h30, même si on privilégie un trajet en avion pour l’instant)
J5 et J6 : Washington
J7 : Washington – Lancaster (Pays Amish) (2h30)
J8 : Lancaster (Amish)
J9 : Lancaster – New York (3h)
J10, J11, J12, J13, J14: New York
J 15: New York – France
Pour ce trajet, cela vous parait-il intéressant ? Les temps sur place sont-ils assez longs pour visiter Toronto et Washington ? Passez un jour complet à Lancaster vous parait-il adapté, même si nous le voyons comme un jour de repos avant New York ?
Les options supplémentaires que nous pensions seraient d’atterrir à Boston (J1), de visiter Cap Code et Boston (J1 et J2), puis Boston – Saranac Lake (J3 – 5h33), Saranac Lake – Gananoque (1000 iles) - Toronto (J4), ensuite on retombe sur notre itinéraire ci-dessus avec un seul jour à Toronto (J5), Toronto – Niagara Falls – Niagara on the Lake (J6), Niagara on the Lake – Washington (J7), un seul jour à Washington (J8), et on modifie à nouveau : Washington – Lancaster – Philadelphie (J9), Philadelphie (J10), Philadelphie – New York (J11), NY (J12, 13 et 14) et retour en France J15.
Ce 2ème itinéraire nous fait visiter plus de ville, mais augmente le nombre total de km, et nous fait faire des haltes moins longues dans chaque ville.
Boston vaut-elle le coup de s’y arrêter ? Cap Code vaut-il le coup sachant que c’est à 1h30 de Boston ? Saranac Lake et Gananoque sont-ils immanquables ? Enfin un arrêt à Philadelphie vous parait-il intéressant ?
Nous privilégions pour l’instant le 1er itinéraire afin de faire moins de km, mais surtout pour approfondir chaque ville où nous nous arrêterons (Toronto, Washington et surtout NY), mais nous sommes à l’écoute de tous vos conseils et remarques si des modif vous paraissent indispensables.
Vous dites que vous n'aimez pas nécessairement les musées d'art, mais êtes-vous intéressés par l'histoire? De ce que je me rappelle de Washington, c'est que les musées sont très intéressants et en plus, plusieurs sont gratuits. Aussi, si vous comptez visiter la Maison Blanche, le Capitole et Washington Monument, il faut réserver à l'avance. Très très à l'avance dans le cas de la Maison Blanche!
C'est certain que Boston a ses charmes aussi, mais il semble difficile à intégrer dans l'itinéraire. Le faire au début et faire la route à Toronto, puis revenir à Washington, me semble un épuisant début de voyage. Il serait plus logique de faire Toronto, Washington (en avion), la Pennsylvanie (Landcaster, Philadelphie), New York et puis Boston. Mais comme vous semblez vouloir finir à New York... le premier itinéraire me semble mieux.
Merci pour ta réponse.
C'est vrai que nous souhaitons finir par NY car il semble qu'il y a tellement de choses à faire, et ce serait le clou du voyage.
Concernant les musées d'art, ce n'est pas trop notre tasse de thé mais nous aimons bien tout ce qui est batiments historiques. Le voyage etant pour septembre 2012, nous allons regarder comment reserver des entrées pour la maison blanche, Capitole, puisque tu dis qu'il faut s'y prendre longtemps à l'avance.
Si d'autres personnes ont des avis ou conseils sur cet itinéraire, nous sommes evidemment preneurs!!!!
Bonjour,
Un avis sur votre projet de voyage.
L'option d'arriver par Toronto vous permet de voir les chutes du Niagara coté canadien bien plus spectaculaire que le coté américain.
Il me semble que Boston vaut bien une étape, pour le cachet du centre ville et pour l'histoire. L'intérêt de Cape Cod me semble plus limité.
Si vous vous interessez à l'histoire de la naissance des Etats Unis , l'étape de Philadelphie est vivement recommandée.
Quant à Washington, je confirme que la plupart des musées sont gratuits et particulièrement riches. Par contre les visites de la Maison Blanche , du Capitole, du Pentagone sont pratiquement impossibles à réaliser pour des raisons de sécurité depuis le 11 septembre, sauf si vous avez un ami parlementaire américain qui peut vous arranger le coup.
Nous avons fait un peu le même trajet : Bos -> NY -> Philadelphie -> Washington en utilisant le train (pas cher et bien plus reposant, mais c'est pas le TGV !!)
Avoir une voiture a NY est une folie !
Mais c'est vrai que pour la Maison Blanche, presque impossible pour un etranger (et pas facile pour un americain non plus).
Pour ton itineraire, j'ajouterais un jour a Washington, et je supprimerais un jour au pays Amish.
Puisque tu arrives a Toronto, donc au Canada, il serait peut-etre mieux d'abandonner la voiture a Niagara Falls, Ontario, et puis prendre un bus ou un taxi a l'aeroport de Buffalo pour un vol a Washington. (Southwest a des vols pas chers entre BUF et BWI, mais BWI n'est pas tout pres a Washington. Mais des bus et trains existent pour aller en ville de BWI) On ne peut pas forcement louer une voiture au Canada et la rendre aux USA.
On n'a pas besoin d'une voiture a Washington. Tu peux louer une voiture avant d'aller a Lancaster. Ou bien, tu peux louer une voiture a Buffalo. Le trajet entre Niagara Falls et Washington et longue et il faut suivre des petites routes pour la plupart. On peut aussi faire la visiter au pays Amish en allant de Niagara a Washington. Apres ca, plus besoin d'une voiture a Washington, Philly, et NY.
En effet, nous ne pensons pas utiliser de voiture en ville. Les aéroports ne sont pas encore déterminés, mais nous pensions prendre une voiture après Toronto pour rejoindre Niagara Falls puis le Niagara falls International Airport et la laisser là-bas, puis reprendre une voiture après Washington pour la garder jusqu'à l'arrivée à NY, mais sutout ne pas l'utiliser à NY.
Puis Niagara Falls - Washington est trop long a faire en voiture donc perte de temps !!! L'avion semble plus approprié. Reste à voir si on le prend à Niagara Falls, ou à Buffalo comme tu le dis (l'avantage est qu'il s'agit dans ce cas d'un vol intérieur USA donc peut-etre moins cher que depuis Niagara Airport où c'est un vol Canada - USA ?????)
Pour ce qui est des visites, en effet le Capitole semble possible avec reservation à l'avance, mais ca semble quasi impossible pour la Maison Blanche car il y a 1000 conditions à réunir....
D'ailleurs, a force de parcourir ce forum, j'ai l'impression que pas mal de visites sont gratuites, mais qu'il est souvent nécessaire de faire une reservation avant (par internet) ou d'y aller tôt le matin sur place, pour avoir un horaire de viste. Ca semble etre le cas du Capitole, de certains musées, de la statue de la liberté, de Ground Zéro....
Avez-vous des renseignements utiles la-dessus ????
D'ailleurs, a force de parcourir ce forum, j'ai l'impression que pas mal de visites sont gratuites, mais qu'il est souvent nécessaire de faire une reservation avant (par internet) ou d'y aller tôt le matin sur place, pour avoir un horaire de viste. Ca semble etre le cas du Capitole, de certains musées, de la statue de la liberté, de Ground Zéro....
Avez-vous des renseignements utiles la-dessus ????
Pour les musees a Washington, il n'est pas necessaire de faire une reservation. Ce n'est meme pas possible. Pour l'instant, on ne peut pas monter le Washington Monument a cause du seisme d'aout cette annee. Des travaux vont durer assez longtemps.
Oui, un vol entre le Canada et les Etats-Unis est normalement plus cher qu'un vol interieur grace aux taxes et frais ajoutes aux billets internationaux. On peut presque toujours trouver un vol pas cher chez Southwest Airlines pour le trajet entre Buffalo et BWI. Le petit aeroport a Niagara Falls (USA) est uniquement pour des avions prives, je crois.
C'est vrai que les vols internationaux sont généralement plus chers que les vols intérieurs, mais ce n'est pas toujours le cas. Il faut aussi prendre en compte que si vous laissez l'auto à Niagara Falls ou Toronto, vous allez devoir vous trouver un moyen de transport pour vous rendre à Buffalo. Donc si la différence entre les deux vols est moindre que le prix du billet de bus...
Si vous prenez l'avion au Canada il me semble qu'il serait plus facile de partir de Toronto que de Niagara Falls. (En fait je ne suis pas certaine que ce soit même possible à partir de Niagara Falls). Donc ce serait de comparer les prix entre le vol Toronto-Washington et Buffalo-Washington, plus tous les frais de transport supplémentaires. C'est certain que si c'est moins cher de partir de Buffalo et qu'en plus votre compagnie de location d'auto accepte que vous laissiez l'auto dans cette ville, ce serait parfait.
Pour les réservations, c'est impératif de réserver pour le Capitole et pour la Statue de la Liberté (je pense que c'est seulement 30 personnes par heure qui peuvent monter dans la Couronne). Je ne me rappelle pas d'avoir eu à réserver pour aucun musée. Ni pour Ground Zéro. (À moins que j'aie manqué quelque chose?). Il y a pas mal de musées gratuits à Washington, c'est vrai, mais ceux de New York sont loin d'être gratuits...
Pour l'instant, on peut trouver des billets entre BUF et BWI pour $60 ttc chez Southwest Airlines, et on peut amener 2 valises sans frais supplementaires.
Bonjour à tous,
voila nous avons définitivement (enfin normalement) notre trajet cité ci-dessus.
Maintenant le gros du travail est de se renseigner sur chaque ville et endroit afin de connaitre les lieux à visiter, de faire les reservations, notamment dans les lieux où une reservation est preferable: CN Tower et amphibus à Toronto, Maid of the Mist à Niagara Falls, Capitole et autres monuments à Washington, Ellis Island et Statue de la liberté (fermée pendant 1 an apparement?!), Mémorial du 11/9 WTC, Empire State Building, Comédie musicale à Brodway, match de baseball à NY entre autres choses...
On souhaite faire une visite en hélico, mais on hésite entre le survol de Niagara Falls ou le survol de NY : y en a t-il qui ont fait l'un des 2 et qui sauraient nous conseiller sur le choix à faire? Le survol de Niagara Falls n'est-il pas en "aveugle" avec la brume des chutes? Je pense que le survol de NY doit etre impressionnant tout de meme...
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Je pars au USA en mai avec ma fille de 3 ans et mon mari. Nous commençons par 4 jour à n-y puis vol vers sfo. Nous restons 3 jours à sfo puis louons un camping…
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).
hi everyone
I’m planning a world trip and I’m looking for great tips on accommodation in the United States.
Do you have any good deals to share, please?
thanks
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!
