Jusqu'à maintenant, avec ma compagne, j'ai souvent voyagé vers les pays d'Europe ou exotiques tels que Pérou, Chine, Kenya... ou j'ai rencontré beaucoup de gens, heureux de me présenter leur pays. Mais jamais dans les pays tels que Canada, USA et je compte bien rattraper ce retard.
Nous aurons l'occasion de séjourner à New York en novembre 2008, pour la première fois et pendant 5 jours sur place. Nos billets et hôtel sont déjà trouvés, donc pas de soucis de ce coté.
J'aimerais juste savoir si il existe des coins particuliers, étonnants et surprenants à voir, hors recommandations des sites touristiques que j'ai parcouru et qui indiquent presque tous les mêmes parcours.
Enfin, peut être qu'une âme charitable saura me guider dans cette ville, à charge de revanche à Paris.
Je rappelle que le "coin spécial qui n'est pas dans les guides" est un mythe.
Et si les guides proposent tous à peu près la même chose, c'est parce qu'ils sont faits pour ça : recenser les lieux incontournables d'une destination donnée.
J'aime bien Battery Park : tu peux te promener le long de la rivere Hudson, du World Financial Center (a cote du World Trade Center) jusqu'a l'extremite sud de Manhattan, avec vue sur le New jersey, et la statue de la Liberte au loin.
ChinaTown: Au lieu d'aller a celle de Manhattan (ou il y a plus de touristes que de chinois), tu peux aller a celle de Queens (arret "Main street" sur la ligne de metro 7)
Harlem / Central Park: La 125e rue a Harlem est tres commercante et est probablement mentionnee dans les guides. Mais ensuite, tu peux te diriger vers Central Park. J'ai remarque que le Nord de Central Park etait nettement moins frequente que le Sud de Central Park
Je dirais que les lieux les plus incontournables sont envahi par touristes, ce qui les rends bondé, et donc beaucoup moins agreables a visiter.
Ensuite, en allant chercher des lieux un peu moins incontournables, tu peux tomber sur des choses toujours sympa. Elles seront moins extraordinaires, mais potentiellement plus agreables a visiter.
Un blague:
"People don't go there anymore - because it's too crowded"
"Les gens n'y vont plus - parce que c'est trop bondé"
S'il y a des réponses privées cela m'intéresse car j'envisage d'y partir aussi mais au moins 8 jours et j'aime aussi sortir des sentiers battus. Ainsi nous revenons de 10 jours à Hong Kong et on a vu plein de choses beaucoup plus intéressantes à mon avis que le pic Victoria ou nathan road!
Peut-être y'en a t'il 2 🤪 mais Little Italy est à Manhattan et complétement absorbé par Chinatown d'ailleurs. Il ne reste que 4 ou 5 rues genre Disneyland où les serveurs vous interpellent en italien à l'heure des repas. Mais ça n'en reste pas moins un petit coin sympa 😛
hello
He bien oui little italy existe bien dans le bronx, et vraiment bien plus pittoresque qu'à manhattan, je vis avec un italien et il confirme, il y a entre autre un petit marché sous une halle très sympa.
Pourquoi en message privé…? le but d'un forum, c'est de partager non ?
les MP, c'est pour les choses, plus privées, comme son nom l'indique…
Si non, c'est vouloir le beurre et l'argent du beurre, de bons plan qu'on veut bien recevoir mais pas échanger…
Vous en pensez quoi ? Moi j'ai déjà filé des tuyaux sur NY, mais si c'est pour un usage égoïste, je ne le ferai plus ou seulement des tuyaux éventés…
Voilà, c'était ma petite réflexion en passant…
Tout simplement parce que dans un message, il remercie les personnes qui lui ont répondu en messages privés. iI est parfois intéressant de tout lire avant de se jeter sur la réponse.
Sans me jeter sur la réponse, je donnais mon avis personnel… Bien sûr que c'est sympa de remercier en mp, ceux qui ont répondu. Je parlais d'une manière plus générale et je maintiens mes propos.
;-)
Je ne connaissais pas 😛 mais c'est vrai, à tort ou à raison, qu'on pense rarement au Bronx lors d'un séjour à NY 😮
hello
He bien oui little italy existe bien dans le bronx, et vraiment bien plus pittoresque qu'à manhattan, je vis avec un italien et il confirme, il y a entre autre un petit marché sous une halle très sympa.
Je ne connaissais pas 😛 mais c'est vrai, à tort ou à raison, qu'on pense rarement au Bronx lors d'un séjour à NY
hello
He bien oui little italy existe bien dans le bronx, et vraiment bien plus pittoresque qu'à manhattan, je vis avec un italien et il confirme, il y a entre autre un petit marché sous une halle très sympa.
C'est à Belmont et Arthur avenue dans le Bronx. J'avais lu un reportage là-dessus, il y a quelques années.
Voilà une jolie carte de New York où, en cochant et décochant les centres d'intérêt dans le cadre de droite, tu pourras trouver plein de choses à faire et à voir.
Je n'ai pas ete a Little Italy du Bronx. Mais c'est comme Chinatown, il y a Chiantown historique (a Manhattan) et l'endroit ou les chinois se rassemblent maintenant (a Queens).
A Little Italy de Manhattant, il est difficile de trouver des italiens (mis a part ceux qui travaillent dans les restos/boutiques), alors que pour ce qui est des touristes, ce n'est pas ce qui manque.
bonjour
je suis partie en septembre à NY, pour notre part nous voulions faire une messe gospel à Harlem, nous avons été tres bien accueillis, une ambiance extraordinaire des chants magnifiques.
Un magasin hyper connu century ke des fringues de marque en rabais.
il y des boites de jazz, un monde fou et bonne ambiance.
voilà!!😏
Je commence à préparer une synthèse de toutes les réponses reçues et j'ajouterai aussi celles à recevoir, ainsi que celles provenant d'autres sources que de ce forum, et je la publierai bientôt, en remerciant par avance tout ceux qui m'auront apporté leur contribution.
Bon, je n'ai pas demandé de réponses privées, mais j'en ai reçu quand même. Mais je promets de synthétiser tout ça rapidement en message ouvert, bien entendu.
Je ne vais pas m'en priver, mais j'aimerais aussi voir ce que d'autres n'auraient pas le temps de voir. En fait: souvenirs originaux, ou peu communs recherchés
Ou se trouvait cette messe gospel que tu es allée voir ? peux tu préciser ? et quoi d'autre de sympa pendant ton voyage pourrais tu partager ?
merci à toi.
régis
bonjour
je ne me souviens plus de l'église, c'estait à harlem nous etions en groupe avec une agence bus et messe mais nous sommes resté quand le groupe est parti c'est la ke c'était le plus interéssant, chant danse les précheurs étaient limite en transe c'était une femme pasteur, nous étions les seuls "blancs " dans l'église, une gentillesse mémorable, on nous a me^me ramené à une bouche de métro car nous étions perduil faut faire un spectacle sur brodway, nous nous avons pas eu le temps, on regrette.
les boites de jazz sont pleines à craquer!!!!il y a le blue not je crois ouest village 3e rue/6e avenue et le neeting factoryvers leonard street.
le quartier Italien ou tu manges tres bien et tres sympas. Soho pour faire des achats de luxe bien moin cher kan France.wall street vaut le coup d'oeil. nous aurions voulu voir un match de basket mais pas de match
voilà à ton service😏
Meme chose que Nathalie...
j'ai également assisté a une messe gospel dans une église de Harlem ( dsl ne me souviens plus du nom de l'église..)
bref je te le recommande très très fortement...
ils ont été très accueillants et très contents de nous recevoir (on été pourtant 1bon groupe de 30étudiants autant te dire qu'on ne passait pas inapercus) nous avons meme été applaudi! bref la messe est un moment très très fort, g meme versé quelques larmes car une véritable communion se crée.. enfin bref A FAIRE REELLEMENT
quelques recommandations : s'habiller correctement ( pas de jean) et pas de photos ni caméras..
c tout
autre chose : peut etre pas très original mais très enrichissant : la visite de l'ONU
en tt cas bon voyage !!!
Il ya quelques endroits que j'affectionne particulierement a NY et qui ne sont pas forcement tres frequentes par les touristes (meme si a NY, il y a peu de sentiers non battus).
Le Chelsea Market coince entre la 9e et la 10 (a hauteur de la 15th street) est un endroit tres sympa tant pour l'architecture que pour les boutiques. Il s'agit principalement de magasins de nourriture mais orignaux et surtout tres bons. Au passage, il y a quelques petites boulangeries bien appetissantes qui valent le detour.
En rentrant du marche, il ne faut pas rater les sculptures de Tom Otterness qui sont disseminees dans toute la station de metro 14th street sur les lignes ACE.
Le quartier de Nolita (entre Elizabeth, Mott st et Houston - Prince Street) est souvent neglige par les hordes de shoppers europeens dans Soho. Et pourtant, il regorge de petites boutiques assez uniques et originales, dans une ambiance tres bobo dans le bon sens du terme et tres new yorkaise. L'architecture du quartier est typique du NY du debut du siecle et n'a pas encore ete trop agressee par les nouveaux condos. Beaucoup de bonnes adresse pour le lunch/brunch (Public sur Elizabeth, Kitchen Club sur Spring, Epistrophy sur Mott Street, FR.OG. sur Spring).
Pour les mordus d'architecture, les brownstones de l'Upper East Side valent vraiment le detour. En particulier entre la 70eme et la 85eme (entre 5th et Lexington), il y a de tres beaux hotels particluiers de la fin du XIX et debut XX dont certains se visitent. Evidemment, en dehors de ca, le quartier n'est pas tres sexy mais il n'y a pas un rat !! Pour ceux qui ont un peu d'argent, ca permet de faire du leche-vitrine sur les boutiques de luxe de Madison (assez peu touristiques d'ailleurs). Idem cote West side.
Quant a Arthur Avenue dans le Bronx, certes c'est le vrai quartier italien de NY mais franchement, de la a faire le detour..A mon avis, ca ne vaut pas la peine.
Pour info, attention aux messes de Harlem, certaines sont tellement frequentees pas les touristes que les gens sont litteralement parques dans des tribunes apres avoir fait la queue pendant une heure. Il vaut mieux ne pas se fier aux adresses donnees dans le guides et reperer une petite eglise. Le spectacle est aussi bien dans l'eglise qu'a l'exterieur.
Pour ce qui est de la Statue de la Liberte, je dirais que si c'est pour voir les US post 9/11 tu l'a deja vu a l'aeroport.
La Statue de la Liberte, c'est passer deux controles de securite et avoir des gardes qui verifient que tu ne fait rien d'interdit.
Et fait gaffe, si tu entres dans la statue et que tu loupes les musee, il est interdit de faire un retour en arriere ...
On est à la recherche d'un voyage la fois "découverte", culturel et branché, ce n'est pas la première fois à NY mais on veut optimiser au max notre court…
J'ai passe une semaine à New York City en septembre 2012, je vous livre qques infos pratiques afin d'affiner vos prepa et budgets Je ne vais pas vous faire une…
Pour mon premier voyage à New York, j'envisageai aussi de voir les chutes du Niagara, ou une petite visite à Washington. Arrivant le 8 mai et repartant le 13…
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 28 replies
Je prépare un séjour à New York du 27 février au 4 mars avec ma fille de 15 ans. Arrivée à New York 13 h 30 - départ 23 h 30 Au niveau du planning je me suis…
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!
