Travelling to the USA and bits of Canada
- Thread starter Bubble181
- Start date
I can't speak for the entirety of the drive Google is suggesting, but if you're going through that part of Pennsylvania, bring something to do. Unless you like looking at trees, it is boring as s***. I've had to drive out there before and there is NOTHING for huge amounts of time.True, 7 hours
Still, "it's a long drive", I'm aware of it. Let's move on. I've driven far longer than that both in Europe and in South-Africa. As long as the scenery is nice (which, considering that route takes you through a couple of national parks, I assume it is) that's no problem.
"Looking at trees": the whole point of going to a national park. Sure beats looking at McDonalds - Olive Garden - Walmart - Pizza Hut - Walgreen - gas station - McDonalds - Walmart - Pizza Hut - etc etc etc. Honestly, the most boring driving I've ever done wa in Florida - an hour of never-ending chain shop and restaurants. Blergh 
I think jwhouk is getting what I mean. There's a big difference between "scenic views" and "road & trees". I love nature. When we drive from NJ to VT, my favorite part of the 5 hour drive is the last hour looking at the mountain range in southern Vermont.
Let me explain my reasoning another way: 11 years ago, the friend that was responsible for introducing my husband and I (a mutual friend of him and my ex), graduated college in Arizona, and was then moving back to NY. Since he had to drive back all his stuff, I suggested to Mr. Z that we fly out to AZ and help him drive back. My ulterior motive was at that time, except for a flight out to Iowa to visit some family, I had never been anywhere in the US except the East Coast. What I found out too late is that they planned the drive for the same week my husband had to be back for a mid-term, and the guy had to be in a wedding in NY. So ended up driving, non-stop except for gas and an occasional pee break, all the way back. 10 states we drove through, and what did I get to see? Nothing. Hundreds and hundreds of miles of nothing. (Okay, not entirely true: I got to see the St. Louis arch from a distance.) The route, though the most direct, had nothing to look at past New Mexico. Literally, the only thing I saw besides dirt in Northern Texas was a giant white cross in the middle of nowhere. It was the most boring, bland stretch of road I've ever been on. The "scenery" was non-descript. I almost crashed once because I started falling asleep at the wheel.
The point being, even if it takes longer, look up a route with places to stop and things to see. (I'm not talking about shopping malls and fast food.) If you're taking the route Google suggests from DC to Niagara, I can tell you from experience, because I have family in Hagerstown, MD and central PA, there is nothing but road and trees for a good majority of that trip. It's not really too scenic, and you can go an hour in between exits. Although, if you're a fan of the Civil War, there are some really neat battle sites to visit out that way.
Let me explain my reasoning another way: 11 years ago, the friend that was responsible for introducing my husband and I (a mutual friend of him and my ex), graduated college in Arizona, and was then moving back to NY. Since he had to drive back all his stuff, I suggested to Mr. Z that we fly out to AZ and help him drive back. My ulterior motive was at that time, except for a flight out to Iowa to visit some family, I had never been anywhere in the US except the East Coast. What I found out too late is that they planned the drive for the same week my husband had to be back for a mid-term, and the guy had to be in a wedding in NY. So ended up driving, non-stop except for gas and an occasional pee break, all the way back. 10 states we drove through, and what did I get to see? Nothing. Hundreds and hundreds of miles of nothing. (Okay, not entirely true: I got to see the St. Louis arch from a distance.) The route, though the most direct, had nothing to look at past New Mexico. Literally, the only thing I saw besides dirt in Northern Texas was a giant white cross in the middle of nowhere. It was the most boring, bland stretch of road I've ever been on. The "scenery" was non-descript. I almost crashed once because I started falling asleep at the wheel.
The point being, even if it takes longer, look up a route with places to stop and things to see. (I'm not talking about shopping malls and fast food.) If you're taking the route Google suggests from DC to Niagara, I can tell you from experience, because I have family in Hagerstown, MD and central PA, there is nothing but road and trees for a good majority of that trip. It's not really too scenic, and you can go an hour in between exits. Although, if you're a fan of the Civil War, there are some really neat battle sites to visit out that way.
Well, yes, obviously. 7 hours or so of driving means we won't do anything else that day, which means we'll make detours and fill up the day that way.
We're now contemplating cutting out one day of DC in favor of sleeping somewhere in the middle there, in a random motel (since, in case you don't know, the "stereotypical American roadside motel" just doesn't exist in Europe. Girlfriend's curious). That would allow more "scenic route taking", "finding out if it's worth it to visit the Pennsylvania Dutch", and stopping for war memorials or such.
I love PA Dutch country. I think it's definitely worth the stop. And try the scrapple! (I also have PA Dutch roots on my dad's side.)
OK. I'm trying to plan stuff out.
Now, http://www.statuecruises.com/Plan_your_trip.aspx claims "All possible combinations with recommended time alotment and latest arrival time that allow for completion.". Sounds great - I'm trying to figure out how much time I need for those things and whether I can combine it with other things over the day....But either I'm going blind, or I'm just stupid, but nowhere on that site can I actually find what they claim. Is it that hard to say "for regular people, you'll need about 2 hours for Ellis Island, about 1 hour for Statue of Liverty, and about 1 1/2 hours ferry time in between, if you are elderly, handicapped or in the company of children, take about an hour extra" or something?
Now, http://www.statuecruises.com/Plan_your_trip.aspx claims "All possible combinations with recommended time alotment and latest arrival time that allow for completion.". Sounds great - I'm trying to figure out how much time I need for those things and whether I can combine it with other things over the day....But either I'm going blind, or I'm just stupid, but nowhere on that site can I actually find what they claim. Is it that hard to say "for regular people, you'll need about 2 hours for Ellis Island, about 1 hour for Statue of Liverty, and about 1 1/2 hours ferry time in between, if you are elderly, handicapped or in the company of children, take about an hour extra" or something?
Because YMMV? Not trying to be cheeky, but that could be the case. My husband's not really a "soaking it all in" person, so he wanders through stuff like that quickly. I like to read signs, take pictures and check out everything, so I take longer. Plus: lines. They don't know what kind of tourist you're going to be.OK. I'm trying to plan stuff out.
Now, http://www.statuecruises.com/Plan_your_trip.aspx claims "All possible combinations with recommended time alotment and latest arrival time that allow for completion.". Sounds great - I'm trying to figure out how much time I need for those things and whether I can combine it with other things over the day....But either I'm going blind, or I'm just stupid, but nowhere on that site can I actually find what they claim. Is it that hard to say "for regular people, you'll need about 2 hours for Ellis Island, about 1 hour for Statue of Liverty, and about 1 1/2 hours ferry time in between, if you are elderly, handicapped or in the company of children, take about an hour extra" or something?
EDIT: Only an hour for the SoL? Only if the Statue is closed again!
True enough, but still - they even say they'll give a "recommended time alotment". Of course there are big differences, but "for a quick tour, count on at least 15 minutes, if you read everything and go slowly, it's an hour" is different from "for a quick tour, count on at least an hour or so, if you read everything and go slowly, it's half a day".
I have no idea what you mean
BananaHands
Staff member
I'll be in Chicago until end of July and L.A. after - so let me know when!
Is this discworld?
Sooooo....One of you bunch of Canadians might've told me Monday the 19th is a federal holiday. It's the only day I'm in Ottawa and half the city is closed, while the other half will be overrun by Canadian tourists. Oops (might be fun/interesting too, but if I'd know ahead of time, I'd have replanned to spend 2 days there or so)
(might be fun/interesting too, but if I'd know ahead of time, I'd have replanned to spend 2 days there or so)
Sooooo....One of you bunch of Canadians might've told me Monday the 19th is a federal holiday. It's the only day I'm in Ottawa and half the city is closed, while the other half will be overrun by Canadian tourists. Oops
We seem to have them almost every month. I just forget about them until the week before and I find out I don't need to go to work.
Dear Montreal (pt2). Today the weather was good. However, your historical center is...half torn down to build hotels? The university quarter was much nicer. Lure tourists there. I understand people havi g to pay for the exhibits in the botanical garden but an entry fee for the regular park bit is ridiculous. The olympic site isn't as run down and old as dvertised - it's just a regular old sports complex. The basilic is realy cool though. onwards to ottawa!