Je compte me rendre a Great Smoky Mountains National Park le 08 mai en arrivant en voiture de Detroit et je viens de realiser qu'un "petit" detour permettrait de visiter egalement Mammoth Cave National Park.
Comme Great Smoky, j'ai du mal a trouver des temoignages sur Mammoth Cave, aussi bien sur ce forum qu'en fesant une recherche sur Google...🤪
Si l'un d'entre vous a deja visite ce parc, merci de me faire part de votre experiance et de me dire si il vaut le coup (environ 4 heures de detour) ou si il est preferable de filer directement a Great Smoky Mountains. Inversement, si vous pensez que Great Smoky Mountains ne represente que peu d'interet en rapport a Mammoth Cave, nous pouvons zapper le premier afin de privilegier le second (nous avons 4 jours pleins a consacrer a cette region).
Combien de temps de visite dois-je prevoir pour ce parc?
Y a t-il d'autres endroits interessants a visiter dans le coin?
Bonjour,
Coincidence : je vais à Smoky Mtns le 02 juin (2 nuits à Asheville, NC ), en partant de Montréal le 28/5 via Shenandoah NP et la Blue Ridge Parkway tout le long.
Mais Mammoth Cave pas prévue au programme... c'est où au juste ??
Une amie est allée au Smokey l'an passé et m'a dit que c'est joli, valloné façon Vosges si tu connais ?? Il y aurait des ours bruns... mais à voir la carte du parc, sauf à faire de la rando, il y a juste une route qui traverse.
J'en sais pas plus, donc si tu y vas raconte nous !! Merci d'avance !
Si vous ne réussissez jamais rien du premier coup, n'essayez pas le parachutisme !
OOOOPS, ça y est j'ai replacé Mammoth Cave NP et en 2eme abord je me rappelle avoir vu un jour qq photos de ces "caverns" : de mémoire : grandiose ! mais tout est grand dans ce pays !
Néanmoins, ça sera pas pour ce coup ci 😊 trop excentré !
Si vous ne réussissez jamais rien du premier coup, n'essayez pas le parachutisme !
Mammoth Cave est a environ a 5 heure 30 de route de Great Smoky et ce parc me semble assez touristique mais je n'en sais pas plus...les photos sur internet sont assez peu parlantes.
Je ne connais pas les Vosges mais je sais que c'est tres joli...J'espere que ce parc le sera aussi car ca m'embeterais de faire toute cette route pour pas grand chose surtout que dans le Michigan il y a aussi des jolis paysages. J'ai trouve sur internet des jolies photos de ce parc mais impossible a savoir si ces paysages se trouvent apres 20 kilometres de marche ou si ils sont accessibles sans pour autant faire de grandes randonnees.
Si j'y vais je ne manquerais pas de te faire un resume detaille de notre sejour afin que tu puisse peut etre optimiser le tiens plus tard, et peut etre inclure Mammoth dans ton circuit, si ce detour vaut le coup.
Voilà longtemps que ce coin titille mes papilles.... mais je n'ai pas vraiment pas pensé que cela justifierait un A/R d'Atlantique nord exprès pour ça ! D'où mon "jumelage" avec l'un de mes séjours au Québec !
Et encore, à condition de faire Shenandoah + Blue Ridge Parkway + Smoky Mtns et je me fais la visite de Washington au retour (ce que je n'ai pas encore fait.... la honte ....)
As tu regardé www.nps.gov/ ??
Donc merci de ton avis si tu y vas !!
Si vous ne réussissez jamais rien du premier coup, n'essayez pas le parachutisme !
Ha oui je suis entierement d'accord avec toi, et je doute fortement que ce coin a lui seul justifie un aller retour de France...D'ailleur je me pose aussi la question si il justifie 9 heures de voiture de Detroit... Surtout qu'en 4 jours nous n'avons pas vraiment le temps (ni l'envie) de faire de la voiture, mais juste de nous poser dans un endroit sympatique avec de beaux paysages et des petites randonnees agreables.
J'ai regarde sur nps.gov et j'y ai trouve quelques informations interessantes seulement ce qui me manque maintenant c'est plutot des experiences vecues mais je crois que je vais devoir faire sans, car malgre le fait que ce parc soit le plus visite aux USA (d'apres ce site), je ne trouve personne qui y soit deja alle 🤪 .
Il m'est revenu qq idées....😇
D'abord connais tu ce site : http://www.terragalleria.com/parks/np.great-smoky.html
OK, c'est surtout des photos... mais bon !
Maintenant si les 9 heures de volant te sapent le moral.... : connais tu le Wisconsin, au nord de Milwaukee, c'est plein de lacs et très verdoyant (pas trop de relief !) sinon, connais tu le coin de la Georgian Bay en Ontario ? perso connais pas mais j'en ai entendu du bien.... sinon, le nord de l'Etat de NY (là je connais 😛) vers Lake Placid ou Saranac Lake ça doit être bon pour la rando !
bon, si tu connais les 3, I give up !!!🤪
Si vous ne réussissez jamais rien du premier coup, n'essayez pas le parachutisme !
Merci pour le lien, je n'etais pas tombe sur ce site dans ma petite recherche sur Great Smoky et je dois dire que les photos sont...Superbes! Une vraie invitation a visiter ce parc. En plus en cette saison les arbres sont en fleur, je pense que ca va etre magnifique.
J'avais aussi pense a l'Ontario seulement pour cela nous devons traverser la frontiere et ca rique d'etre un peu complique pour moi, il est preferable d'attendre sagement du cote US que ma carte verte arrive. Pour le nord de NY, c'est un peu le meme probleme, c'est assez rapide en passant par le canada, mais un peu long en passant pas le cote US. De plus je voullais combiner le nord de NY et le Maine, avec bien sur, plus de temps qu'une petite semaine. Mais je garde en reserve ces 2 possibilites de sejours pour cet ete (en esperant avoir enfin cette carte).
Pour le Wisconsin, nous avons de la famille a Minneapolis que nous irons visiter bientot, donc nous profiterons (je l'espere) de cette occasion pour decouvrir le coin qui est parrait-il tres joli.
Apres avoir fait (en passager) Denver-Detroit en environ 20 heures non stop, je ne peux pas dire que les 9 heures de route me sappent le moral, par contre mon mari (conducteur exclusif) se mefie de mes plans et surtout quand je lui affirme "Mais non ne t'inquiete pas, ca va aller vite et la route est jolie" pour apres lui dire "A quand meme, ca nous a pris 20 heures pour faire ce trajet, je pensais pas...".
J'ai donc a present besoin de bons arguments pour lui soumettre un trajet de 9 heures dans la meme journee. Et surtout pour que ces 9 heures ne lui sappent pas le moral! Ceci-dit, le lien avec les photos que tu m'as donne est un tres bon argument 😛, merci encore.
Maintenant reste a savoir si Mammoth Cave vaut le detour ou non...J'ai quand meme envie d'y aller pour que le doute ne reste pas indefiniment et surtout pour ne pas regretter de l'avoir loupe.
re-bonjour,
Le même site "terragalleria" contient qq photos de Mammoth cave, un peu chiche... mais semble intéressant !
Je ne veux pas en rajouter à tes kilomètres... mais Atlanta est très près de Smoky mtns....
Bon, ce n'est pas la plus belle des villes US, mais il y a le Fox Theater (première du film Gone with the wind....) plus le siège de Coke et de CNN... Bon, Bon, j'arrête 😊😎
Si vous ne réussissez jamais rien du premier coup, n'essayez pas le parachutisme !
En fait ce site contient des photos de plusieurs partie de la region et ca m'a donne d'autres idees de visites...Cumberland Falls State Resort Park semble (sur les photos) etre magnifique, et comme c'est sur le chemin du retour, apres Great Smoky, nous irons certainement y faire un petit tour!
Bien evidemment je te dirais si c'est interessant pour ton prochain sejour.
Atlanta est quand meme a 3 ou 4 heures de routes des Smoky, ca va pas etre vraiment possible car on a juste 4 petits jours a consacrer a la region, ce sont des toutes petites vacances pour destresser (avec le chant des oiseaux 😎) avant la reprise. De plus quand on regarde la carte, on a toujours envie de rajouter un truc et puis un autre et au final je risque de me retrouver a Key West...Mais je garde l'idee de visiter Atlanta lors du trajet pour un prochain voyage en Floride!
Me voila de retour de mon bref sejour dans le Tennessee/Kentucky et comme promis, je te fais part de mes impressions sur la region.
Mammoth Cave: Nous avons visite Frozen Niagara. La visite de la cave est sympa mais un peu longue et les decors ne sont pas vraiment varies. Toutefois la fin de la visite vaut vraiment le coup, c'est tres joli. Pour cette experiance, il ne faut pas avoir ni le vertige ni etre claustrophobe...Le parc est gratuit mais les visites des caves payantes.
Ensuite nous avons fait une petite halte a Burgess Falls State Park (dans le Tennessee, entre Mammoth Cave et Great Smoky). C'est vraiment tres joli, la balade jusqu'aux chutes dure environ 1 heure et est tres facile et agreable. Si tu passe pas loin de ce parc, je te conseille de t'y arreter et d'y passer au moins 2 heures. L'entree au parc est gratuite.
Il y a egalement un autres State Park, Fall Creek Fall, qui vaut le detour. Il y a plusieurs petites balades et chutes sympas. Nous y avons passe une journee, une demie journee suffit mais tu peux voir l'essentiel en 2 heures (juste les points de vues). L'entree au parc est gratuite.
Je te conseille egalement dans le coin Ozone Fall Nature Area, la chute est sublime (si tu arrive a faire abstraction des dechets "oublies" par des c...). On peut voir la chute du haut par le point de vue, mais ce qui vaut vraiment le coup c'est de descendre aux pieds de celle-ci. La descente est un peu accrobatique mais pas trop difficile, ca prend environ 1/2 heure et c'est vraiment tres joli.
En ce qui concerne Great Smoky, nous n'y sommes reste que 1 jour et demi (il a plu, donc nous sommes partit plus tot que prevu). Nous avons juste eu l'occasion de faire la ballade qui mene a Laurel Fall. La ballade est tres facile, elle prend environ 1 heure mais nous avons ete decu par la chute (comparee aux precedentes elle paraissait pas geniale). Le parc est tres joli et est pleins de bestioles, certaines font plaisir a rencontrer, d'autres un peu moins. Nous avons croise, dans la foret par 2 fois, une maman ours avec ses petit oursons. Ils etaient a quelques metres de nous, autant te dire que meme si le spectacle etait magnifique, nous n'etions pas rassure. Mais c'etait fabuleux. La rencontre avec plusieurs serpents veneneux etait quand meme un peu moins agreable...Il faut faire attention ou tu pose les pieds...
A l'entree du parc, les villes sont tres touristiques et sincerement elles ne vallent pas du tout le detour, bien au contraire.
Sur le retour nous nous sommes arrete a Cumberland Falls State Resort Park ( Kentucky) car j'avais vu cette chute en photo sur le net, je l'avais trouve jolie. Si elle fait partit de ton parcours, je te conseille de la zapper et de garder ton temps pour autre chose...La chute en elle meme est (un peu) jolie mais tout ce qu'il y a autour est repoussant. En commencant par les centaines de touristes venu de je ne sais ou, en passant par l'ambiance Club Med et en finissant par les dechets aux pied le chute (un frigo!), ce parc ne vaut pas du tout le detour. Heureusement qu'il est gratuit...
Tous ces endroits sont dans les environs de Great Smoky, donc peut etre que ca peut te donner des idees de visites pour ton prochain sejour. Si tu as besoin d'aide pour les localiser, fais moi signe et je t'expliquerais tout en detail.
Waouh !! super efficace un compte rendu aussi complet.... et avec photos !
Mille mercis de tout ce temps passé !
Je vais en extraire un maxi pour mon passage dans le coin !
A+ et merci encore.
Si vous ne réussissez jamais rien du premier coup, n'essayez pas le parachutisme !
En Janvier je pars dans le Wisconsin, nous allons descendre en Floride y faire le tour, et donc en descendant nous allons traverser le Kentucky, je pense faire…
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 15 replies
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Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high.
Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities?
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?
