Visiting USA, need some advice pls.

[old-pr-pix]

Another vote for not wasting a lot of time travelling. In my corporate days I often hosted people from Europe. Almost universally they tried to fit too much into too short a time. They underestimated how far & how long it took to get to places that were only inches apart of their maps. And, they often neglected the U.S. spans multiple timezones.

Lots of good suggestions posted here of places closer to NYC. Here's something I didn't see mentioned...
The Wild Horses of Assateague Island http://www.nps.gov/asis/learn/nature/upload/wildhorses-%20In%20Design.pdf

Whatever you decide... hope you have a great visit and enjoy.

 

[candc]

I have spent some time in upstate new York and its beautiful. Some other posters mentioned letchworth sp. I haven't been there but I looked it up on the web and it looks fantastic and very photogenic. I would go there, keep in mind that state parks are generally just as scenic as national parks but usually smaller which is good if you have limited time.

If you want some inspiration to go watch "the last of the Mohicans" (90's version with dd Lewis) its set in upstate ny but much of it was shot in the blue ridge mountains of south Carolina.

 

[quod]

Lots of good suggestions posted here of places closer to NYC. Here's something I didn't see mentioned...
The Wild Horses of Assateague Island http://www.nps.gov/asis/learn/nature/upload/wildhorses-%20In%20Design.pdf

Assateague and Chincoteague islands are very busy. If you are looking for no crowds, this is not the best option. There's decent birding in the area, but there aren't a lot of picturesque spots for landscape photography. The mosquitoes can be awful.

 

[tntwit]

Niagara Falls - I grew up not far from there and honestly it's not as impressive as you might think. If you happen to be nearby it's worth a stop, but otherwise it's a rather far trip from NYC.

I think when you live nearby, you take it for granted and don't appreciate like those from out of town. We only seem to go when we have folks in from out of town, but that doesn't take away from it's splendor. When we do go, I always ask myself why we don't come here more often, and it's simply because it's in our backyard and we just figure we can go anytime.

All of our company out of town visitors always seem to want to go to 2 places: New York City and Niagara Falls. I think it's worth a visit.

Keep in mind that NY, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine will all look sorta of similar in that they will all be fairly hilly/mountainous with similar trees, alot of lakes and rivers, even similar architecture. All very beautiful, but if you want to see something in addition to that, you will want to travel elsewhere as well. Someone mentioned the wild horses, which I believe are near of actually part of the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Completely different from New York, but just as beautiful.

Also mentioned was the Everglades in Florida, which will be different yet again. There you can also take rides on the airboats into the Everglades. They sit almost at water level when idle and they will take you right into where the alligators live. You can get some nice photos there as well.

NYC to Florida is only a 3 hour flight or less, so you can still see quite a bit without leaving the East Coast if you are trying to cut down on travel time.

I guess it's really a matter of what you want to see; what kind of sights that you are looking for.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Sanj.
I'm in England, but I have visited Arizona a bit, I'm with others, if you were based there, lots to see and do. We drove from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, best part of a day each way. We went with a local and he took us there on all the back roads where you get to see some sights, do some driving on interesting roads if your in to driving, (car guy here) went back to Phoenix on the highway 93, my description was miles and miles of miles and miles! ;D In other words the distances are huge! Stay closer to N.Y.
My parents went to the Washington DC area and visited Niagara Falls and loved it. They also visited the Amish town which they said was incredible for being a completely different pace of life, a snapshot going back to how it was 100 yrs ago, not landscape or scenic but interesting? 2 1/2 hrs from N.Y. New York by car.
Just as a caveat, they also thought the Greyhound bus from Washington DC to Birmingham Alabama was great too!

Cheers, Graham.

Another vote for not wasting a lot of time travelling. In my corporate days I often hosted people from Europe. Almost universally they tried to fit too much into too short a time. They underestimated how far & how long it took to get to places that were only inches apart of their maps. And, they often neglected the U.S. spans multiple timezones.

Lots of good suggestions posted here of places closer to NYC. Here's something I didn't see mentioned...
The Wild Horses of Assateague Island http://www.nps.gov/asis/learn/nature/upload/wildhorses-%20In%20Design.pdf

Whatever you decide... hope you have a great visit and enjoy.

 

[sanj]

Dear dear friends. Thanks for the suggestions. I have to travel next four days. I will pick this up when I return. But yes, I think a place within driving distance (6/8 hrs) should be the best option. I can leave early at 5am and be at the place by lunch...
Again, I appreciate and will be back...
Sanjay

 

[sanj]

Tuesday I pick your knowledge again. Mobiles are not the best way to do this. Need my computer.

 

[sanj]

Friend! Just bought the tickets. 8) Will reach NY on 19th at 7:30am will leave NY for India on 5th July.

Let me go through the suggestions now.

 

[sanj]

Hi everyone.
I will be visiting USA - NY mostly last week of June and 1st week of July. Dates are bit flexible still.
Question:
I want to visit a nice SCENIC national park for 3 odd days with my two daughters. Which one do you recommend?
I have never been to Yellowstone and was thinking visiting but I do not want to go anywhere that is too crowded. I have Alaska sort of visual in mind but 3 days will be too short and too far from NY. What do you suggest? Thanking you in advance.

Hi,

Your timing is terrible. You are going to hit the fourth of July weekend in the states, coupled with Canada day (July 1) in Canada. These are the biggest holidays of the year (except Christmas) in each country and places will be packed and accommodations will be next to impossible to find.

Yellowstone will be VERY!!!!! crowded, and it is a 3500Km drive from NYC..... and another 3500Km back. Even if you flew, it would take a full day to get there.... and you will not find car rentals or hotels for that week on such short notice... If you really want to go there, you should plan on taking at least a week....

The Adirondacks are about 6 hours away.... nice scenery, but best enjoyed from a hiker's perspective.

Shenandoah is about 8 hours away, nice scenery and can be enjoyed from a car.... but it will be VERY busy...

Acadia in Maine is very nice, about 10 hours away, and can be enjoyed from a car or on foot.

personally, I think these are all bad choices. You have three days and do not want to spend two of them in heavy traffic on a long weekend... those driving times are for good conditions and on a holiday they will be much longer. I would look for something closer and less stressful to get to.....

Don.
I am not looking for a scenic location around NY - 7 hrs driving. If I understand you correctly, you suggesting I abort the idea of going anywhere outside of NY and make the best of just NY? I could consider that too. But if does not give me 'peace time' with the kids.

 

[sanj]

I suggest Acadia National Park in Maine or Shenandoah in Virginia Acadia's fairly close to New York; you can drive or fly to Bangor and drive from there. I would advise against the parks in the western USA (e.g., Yellowstone, Bryce, Grand Canyon, etc.) because you need to fly out there and they are more remote.

https://www.google.co.in/search?q=acadia+national+park&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=wAtcVYeQFpSduQSg2YLQBg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1260&bih=1328

Very beautiful. Very. How many hours drive do you think this will be from NY? If I pick mid week right after 4th of July weekend, do you think it may be quiet?

It's roughly an 8 hour drive from New York City. I'm not sure what the crowds will be like mid-week after July 4. Although it's not a holiday, kids are still out of school, which is when families travel in the USA. I've been to Acadia twice and it's not too crowded. In comparison, Yosemite in the summer is very congested. If you flew to Bangor and drove to Acadia, that might be easier and shorter, time-wise, even if you arrive at the airport early. If the crowds get you down, you can drive along the coast, which is beautiful and not congested.

Acadia is nice! lots of little places to go to... not much for big attractions that draw all the crowds, it's lots of small attractions that tend to disperse them.

I would agree with flying in to Bangor, rent a car, and wander around...and make sure you have a lobster dinner lots of nice lighthouses, scenic lookouts, short walking trails, etc....

Acadia looks WONDERFUL. Cant I just drive there? I can leave early... Saves costs as there will be 3 or 4 or us.

 

[sanj]

Honestly if you want national park you should go to the midwest or all the way west. Acadia is kind of close to NY but 8hrs drive still. If I were you I should just concentrate on NYC and the museums and cultural activities. If you want nature, national park kind of stuff, ny will disappoint you.

I am ok driving for 5/6 hours or flying 3/4 hours. But want to land up in a place with not so many people. I like the following images. Giving for reference only. Any such place is fine.

sanj, if you want to avoid crowds, you might want to look at designated wilderness areas that are not National Parks. They tend to be less developed and less used by non-locals. I'm a West Coaster, so I don't know the options near NY, but here's a starting point for your search:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2014/06/28/into-wild-six-sensational-wilderness-areas-new-england/ZLkhSwYyASTkmMHnJUGa5N/story.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._Wilderness_Areas

Thank you Orangutan. Will check this properly.

 

[sanj]

You will have to fly to Yellowstone, and we can visit while you are here, its a days drive from Spokane. You will need to reserve a place to stay, you can find a good place, but the best ones are reserved months in advance.

The Olympic National park near Seattle is less crowded, and fantastic, everything from Pacific Ocean beaches to rain forests, you can take a ferry to Victoria BC and spend a day there, you could easily spend a week in the area. If your interested, I or others can help you out. There are lots of photo opportunities. You can go on a whale watch, sometimes they can be spotted from a Ferry. Visit Seattle, there is lots there to photograph.

Its far away from NYC (Thank Goodness ), so its a day spent traveling each wa :-Xy.

There are lots of good recommendations for park visits. Why not go to Niagara Falls. You will need to go to the Canadian side, but its a experience. Big crowds though. Its pretty difficult to avoid the crowds once Summer is here and the schools are out.

"We can visit" That sounds awesome. But it seems (maybe I am wrong) that 3 days would be less for Yellowstone.

I checked: https://www.google.co.in/search?q=Olympic+national+park+usa&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=VwpcVaKeN8u1uQSYg4HQBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1260&bih=1328

It is indeed very nice. Wow. BUT I will have to fly all across the country. Do you think it would be worth it. Fly NY to Seattle. Rent a car. Drive to Olympic. It will take a day to go and a day to return. I don't mind if we end up in the right place.

Need your advice. Perhaps some less visited park in center of the continent will be 'easier'?

If your travel plans are not firmed up yet, you can fly from India to Seattle (via Los Angeles or Vancouver BC?), see the sights, then on to New York, then on around the world via Paris, depending on which airline. That avoids going too much out of your way.

I'd suspect that your girls would like go to Disneyland or Disney world, so don't forget about doing something special for them.

Taking the non stop (19 hrs!!!!!) flight from Bombay to NY. Agggg. Yes of course Disneyland and such. Of course.

 

[sanj]

If you want nature, national park kind of stuff, ny will disappoint you.

I'm going to have to assume you are referring to New York City and NOT New York State.

New York State is full of beautiful parks, nature and open land.

I live in Western New York, roughly 400 miles from New York City, and virtually everything in between is scenic, open land, not at all a city.

As a Western New Yorker, I, as have many others, had to explain time and again, and to no avail, that I do not live in, or anywhere near, New York City. Many people think the entire state is one big city and nothing could be further from the truth. To put it in perspective, New York state ranks 4th in dairy production. Not city like at all.

The Adirondack State Park is the largest park in the lower 48 states, larger than Yosemite and Yellowstone. It is absolutely beautiful and will offer many photo opportunities.

Letchworth state park is referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East. While it may pale is size comparison, it is also a beautiful park and was recently voted number the number one State Park by USA Today readers.

http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-state-park/

The Finger Lakes region is also wonderful as is Allegany State Park and Niagara Falls. New York State is full of beauty.

I don't mean to discount the rest of the country (I've been to Acadia and the Pacific Northwest - both stunning as well), as there is beauty all across the US and I would recommend seeing as much as one practically can, just don't discount New York State.

Finger lakes seems NICE.

 

[sanj]

I would agree with others that traveling to the west coast would be a waste of valuable time, there is so much to see on the East coast.

Something to consider would be to drive down to Washington DC (4 hours) and see the sites there. From a photography standpoint, Washington DC is a “target rich” environment.

Have fun Sanj!

north

Thank you Northstar

 

[sanj]

First, I disagree that your timing is terrible. The weather should be nice that time of year nearly everywhere in the country and you'll have multiple opportunities to get some good fireworks shots (many small towns do fireworks shows shortly before the 4th).

I do agree that going west will take too much time. Besides the flights there is the issue that distances out here are far.

My recommendation is to look at Long Island - particularly further out like Sag Harbor and Montauk. Those areas are beautiful - we used to have a summer home out there - and there will be numerous photo opportunities.

Niagara Falls - I grew up not far from there and honestly it's not as impressive as you might think. If you happen to be nearby it's worth a stop, but otherwise it's a rather far trip from NYC.

Thanks for the encouragement about the timing. I am thinking that I should do this trip first thing. Around the 20th of July, hoping the crowds will yet be not there. Is there any truth to this?

 

[sanj]

Lots of good suggestions posted here of places closer to NYC. Here's something I didn't see mentioned...
The Wild Horses of Assateague Island http://www.nps.gov/asis/learn/nature/upload/wildhorses-%20In%20Design.pdf

Assateague and Chincoteague islands are very busy. If you are looking for no crowds, this is not the best option. There's decent birding in the area, but there aren't a lot of picturesque spots for landscape photography. The mosquitoes can be awful.

Thanks for the tips. Mosquitos? I come from India but still I hate them!!

 

[sanj]

Niagara Falls - I grew up not far from there and honestly it's not as impressive as you might think. If you happen to be nearby it's worth a stop, but otherwise it's a rather far trip from NYC.

I think when you live nearby, you take it for granted and don't appreciate like those from out of town. We only seem to go when we have folks in from out of town, but that doesn't take away from it's splendor. When we do go, I always ask myself why we don't come here more often, and it's simply because it's in our backyard and we just figure we can go anytime.

All of our company out of town visitors always seem to want to go to 2 places: New York City and Niagara Falls. I think it's worth a visit.

Keep in mind that NY, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine will all look sorta of similar in that they will all be fairly hilly/mountainous with similar trees, alot of lakes and rivers, even similar architecture. All very beautiful, but if you want to see something in addition to that, you will want to travel elsewhere as well. Someone mentioned the wild horses, which I believe are near of actually part of the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Completely different from New York, but just as beautiful.

Also mentioned was the Everglades in Florida, which will be different yet again. There you can also take rides on the airboats into the Everglades. They sit almost at water level when idle and they will take you right into where the alligators live. You can get some nice photos there as well.

NYC to Florida is only a 3 hour flight or less, so you can still see quite a bit without leaving the East Coast if you are trying to cut down on travel time.

I guess it's really a matter of what you want to see; what kind of sights that you are looking for.

Good points!! So much to think about...

 

[sanj]

Hi Sanj.
I'm in England, but I have visited Arizona a bit, I'm with others, if you were based there, lots to see and do. We drove from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, best part of a day each way. We went with a local and he took us there on all the back roads where you get to see some sights, do some driving on interesting roads if your in to driving, (car guy here) went back to Phoenix on the highway 93, my description was miles and miles of miles and miles! ;D In other words the distances are huge! Stay closer to N.Y.
My parents went to the Washington DC area and visited Niagara Falls and loved it. They also visited the Amish town which they said was incredible for being a completely different pace of life, a snapshot going back to how it was 100 yrs ago, not landscape or scenic but interesting? 2 1/2 hrs from N.Y. New York by car.
Just as a caveat, they also thought the Greyhound bus from Washington DC to Birmingham Alabama was great too!

Cheers, Graham.

Another vote for not wasting a lot of time travelling. In my corporate days I often hosted people from Europe. Almost universally they tried to fit too much into too short a time. They underestimated how far & how long it took to get to places that were only inches apart of their maps. And, they often neglected the U.S. spans multiple timezones.

Lots of good suggestions posted here of places closer to NYC. Here's something I didn't see mentioned...
The Wild Horses of Assateague Island http://www.nps.gov/asis/learn/nature/upload/wildhorses-%20In%20Design.pdf

Whatever you decide... hope you have a great visit and enjoy.

The Amish town sounds cool.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

You will find that the US is a big place. I am sure you can find something interesting to photograph within 2 hour drives from practically everyplace.

You could spend months just photographing NYC!

Just a suggestion from a stranger on the Internets Tubes: Don't worry about traveling someplace else to get in your photography, put that time and worry into finding the local places.

Travel less, snap more. ;D

 

[sanj]

I understand AP. But the trip idea is not just photography oriented. It is to try and spend undivided time with the girls. Away from distractions. Building fire together and gazing at the setting sun.

I just realized that Acadia is 8 hrs drive. Which can easily go to 10 hrs with meal breaks etc. Bit far... Wish there was something like that bit closer.