USA Trip 2009 - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**mish99** · 10-26-2008, 07:12 AM

Hey Tpunks!

Im planning a 6 weeks trip to America May/June 2009, I know its a while away, but want to get started on an itinerary, costs etc...Im hoping if I like a ceratin place enough, I might move...again

Basically, this is the list of places I want to go, recommendations and opinions more than welcome!!

Chicago
Cleveland
Boston
New York
Philadelphia
Washington
Memphis
New Orleans
Texas - not sure where just yet
Denver
Las Vegas
San Diego
LA
San Fran
Seattle

Do you think I might be pushing it a bit with the amount of time I have??

My budget will be about $9500, im not sure how much things cost etc...thats including flights and travel from each place, accommodation, food and a little shopping (im a bugger for souveniers!)

Im really excited, and am hoping to have a few Tpunk meet ups along the way (since I havnt had 1 yet!!)

Thanks in advance

**marc873** · 10-26-2008, 08:51 AM

Hey Michelle! So I know you and Roxy have been chatting about this trip! Very excited for you!!! You've got a lot of cities for 6 weeks, but it depends on how fast you want to go. As for Texas, hit up Austin for sure!!!!!!!!!!!! Cleveland, love this city, make it to the Rock and Roll hall of fame. I was there the first year it opened, and it was a blast... Can only imagine what its like these days

We also have friends in NYC that could possibly help you out, and a good travel friend in San Diego also, very cool surfer chick that would probably do a little touring with you..... And, in Denver, we have some great friends as well....
And of course if the road takes you through our part of the states, you are more than welcome to have a huge king size bed all to your self:D
Cant wait to hear how the trip comes together!
Cheers,
Marc

**offhegoes03** · 10-26-2008, 09:07 AM

Looks like an awesome itinerary. You're hitting some great cities along the east and west coasts. I've never been, but like Marc recommended, Austin, TX is supposed to be awesome. I've also never been to Memphis, but I've heard mixed things about it from family and friends that have been there. Unless you're a huge Elvis fan, I've heard it's not a really pretty city. I'm living in Nashville right now, and I really enjoy it. Lots of cool public parks, the downtown area is interesting to go and people watch, and there's a wide variety of live music to see. Plus we could try to get a Tpunk meetup going on! Good luck with the planning.

**mish99** · 10-26-2008, 09:33 AM

Yeah, I think I migth be hitting alot of places....I might miss out a few places, but then everytime I look I want to add more on! Haha. I think I might miss out LA, and will probably only spend 1 night, 2 at the most in Las Vegas. And Austin it is.....

Marc - Rock n Roll hall of fame, the only reason im going to Cleveland!!! And I might even take you up on your offer of the king size bed for a night.

Offhegoes - I hate to admit it, but I am a HUGE Elvis fan. Im definitly trying to work it out that I spend some time in Nashville, im really into music so it would seem like a waste to miss it.

**jengt** · 10-26-2008, 09:51 AM

If you're going to be in Cleveland, you're just a couple hours away from WWM, Pinknic & me here in Columbus. There are several other midwestern TPunks too. Definitely a rich Tpunk meetup environment!

shineonyou · 10-26-2008, 10:15 AM

Wow, that's definitely a lot of places to go in six weeks! Have you plugged some of these location into mapquest.com to see how far away they are? I might recommend only sticking to one side of the continental divide i.e. checking out the northeast, south, and midwest, but not heading to the west.

Cause let me tell you, I'm from the midwest and now live in California and driving from Chicago to San Fransisco takes three days that may not be worth it, unless you want to see some of the Great Plains states that aren't on your list. Plus, distances are larger in the west than in the other parts of the country. It took me three days to drive from Illinois to Portland, and then 14 hours to drive from Portland to San Fransisco, but it took me about 13 hours to drive from Chicago to Atlanta.

If you go to the midwest, I recommend, in addition to Chicago, seeing Madsion, Wiscosin which is about three hours from Chicago, and then heading to the Twin Cities.

**mish99** · 10-26-2008, 10:33 AM

Shineonyou - I have been a bit worried about how far apart everything is. Most of the time I will be catching the Amtrak for slightly shorter trips, and flying for places that would take a few days. Ive looked at domestic flights and I think they are pretty reasonable. I think a bit closer to the time (after my trip back to South Africa) I will be able to really sit down and take a look at it, sort out exact dates etc....

**marc873** · 10-26-2008, 11:12 AM

If you take a look Michelle, most of the major U.S. airlines offer serious fare sales on a weekly basis. Especially US Air, every wed morn they offer there domestic esavers, and if you time some of the route out, about a month before you leave, you may indeed get lucky on some of the cash you will be spending on airfare.....

**mish99** · 10-26-2008, 12:34 PM

^^ Thanks for the tip!!!

How much on average would I need daily?? not including flights or trains...

**offhegoes03** · 10-26-2008, 02:37 PM

hmm.. it depends. I think a lot of hostels I've looked at are about $20-25 in USD. If you plan on couchsurfing, that could seriously cut down on costs too. In big cities like NYC, Boston, Washington DC, you might be paying $5-6 per beer, but other places you can find beers for much cheaper. A loaf of bread usually costs me $2.69. A box of pasta usually runs $1.00. I'm trying to think of how much things usually cost me. You're also lucky that the conversion rate is on your side. You're currently living in the UK right? I think the current exchange rate is 1 pound to 1.6 USD.

**mish99** · 10-26-2008, 03:14 PM

Yes I am living in the UK. Everytime I watch the news I hear about the pound weakening and I totally freak!! Its great going back to SA though, £1 = R17!! (Rand)

Thats always my problem when travelling, I never can get my head around the buying power.

Ive been looking into the couchsurfing thing, it could be a serious option for me.

**mbo108** · 10-27-2008, 05:35 AM

You're welcome to crash at my place outside Philly...as long as you return the favor next time I get to South Africa...

There are a variety of bus options on the East Coast too, between Boston/NYC/Philly/DC that you should check out. Stuff like BoltBus and MegaBus sell $1 tickets at random times.

**mish99** · 10-27-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbo108

You're welcome to crash at my place outside Philly...as long as you return the favor next time I get to South Africa...

Thanks! Thats aweomse! I dont live in SA anymore, but ive got loads of 'connections' around to hook you up!! I live in the UK now

and if you come here you can stay with me...so, the offer still open???

Thanks for the info! I will take a look at it

**micdans** · 10-27-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shineonyou

If you go to the midwest, I recommend, in addition to Chicago, seeing Madsion, Wiscosin which is about three hours from Chicago, and then heading to the Twin Cities.

Being from the Twin Cities, I'm a big fan. If you are looking for a good sized city that is not packed, it's great, although our public transportation isn't very good.

**TheJake** · 10-28-2008, 09:21 AM

Ok I am from the midwest and though I do miss home occasionally, it certainly isn't the sights that I am missing.

I would keep chicago and take off Cleveland. Chicago most would agree is the hub of the midwest and you won't find anything in Ohio that's worth seeing.

(Sorry ohio but you know it's true!)

**mbo108** · 10-28-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mish99

so, the offer still open???

No.

Just kidding of course it is. But we should talk another time about your connections because I'm really trying to get to SA soon.

Oh, and I second Jake's reco - besides for maybe 3-5 tpunks, there is nothing worth seeing in that state...

**mish99** · 10-28-2008, 11:11 AM

^^ Yeah, just drop me a message or email and ill definitly help you out. South Africa is really awesome (Cape Town especially!!! Although thats a biased opinion)

My main reason for going to Cleveland is the Rock and Roll hall of fame, maybe ill just try work it out that I will pass through or spend 1 night there.

Is LA worth it?? Its not a place ive been 'dying' to see, but I thought it might be cool. If I could take out 1 place to add extra days somewhere else it would be good.

**mbo108** · 10-28-2008, 12:09 PM

They are opening an NYC Annex to the R&R Museum so you might be able to see some of it, or at least some special exhibits in New York without having to do Cleveland...

http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/ro...pen-annex-nyc/

shineonyou · 10-28-2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micdans

Being from the Twin Cities, I'm a big fan. If you are looking for a good sized city that is not packed, it's great, although our public transportation isn't very good.

Yes, this three city plan I recommend works best if you have a car I suppose. Chicago of course I one of the few American cities with sufficient transportation. I think Twin Cities and Madison are worth seeing, but maybe not at the expense of other cool places. And I've never lived in either one, so I'm not so biased towards those cities specifically. Just towards the midwest in general!

I think Craigslist may be a good place to look for ride shares. Check out the Chicago craigslist rideshare listings for example: http://chicago.craigslist.org/rid/ I've never used it, but with all those postings, something must be good!

**offhegoes03** · 10-29-2008, 05:48 AM

In addition to craigslist, you can sometimes find rides on CouchSurfing. One piece of advice concerning CouchSurfing is to set up an account now and try to participate in events around your city if your city has an active CSing community. It's much easier to get places to stay when you've had a profile for a while and have some references from other people.