Week in New York alone - good idea?

Mark A said:
I cant decide between NY or California/Vegas. Both very different but i'd love to visit both. Not sure i'd be brave enough to go alone though, not great at meeting new people.
Click to expand...
California is epic, my favourite place I've ever been to, though NY was also great. Vegas I found was fun for a couple of days, but underneath the glitzy exterior I found it was quite depressing really, would go back for a lads weekend but can't say I feel drawn to go back.

If you went to Cali on your own, I'd make a trip of it, go from San Diego up to San Francisco and stay in beach hostels, you'd have an amazing time. Equally, spend a while in NY and there are great places to go and see beyond the tourist traps.
 
Rich_L said:
California is epic, my favourite place I've ever been to, though NY was also great. Vegas I found was fun for a couple of days, but underneath the glitzy exterior I found it was quite depressing really, would go back for a lads weekend but can't say I feel drawn to go back.

If you went to Cali on your own, I'd make a trip of it, go from San Diego up to San Francisco and stay in beach hostels, you'd have an amazing time. Equally, spend a while in NY and there are great places to go and see beyond the tourist traps.
Click to expand...
California would be a cracking place to tour, missing LA probably. :D But just the mention of San Diego and Francisco sound really, really cool. A mate of mine did a quick tour of the US earlier this year. Might ask him where he rates going. :)
 
Rich_L said:
California is epic, my favourite place I've ever been to, though NY was also great. Vegas I found was fun for a couple of days, but underneath the glitzy exterior I found it was quite depressing really, would go back for a lads weekend but can't say I feel drawn to go back.

If you went to Cali on your own, I'd make a trip of it, go from San Diego up to San Francisco and stay in beach hostels, you'd have an amazing time. Equally, spend a while in NY and there are great places to go and see beyond the tourist traps.
Click to expand...

Here here - Cali is awesome, love it. Except LA which is just a horrid place.
 
I've booked a 4 night stay in New York during December. It was New York or Tokyo (that worked out slightly cheaper), but I didn't fancy the language barrier while travelling around the city, and reinforcing the ignorant British guy abroad image by not knowing a word of the language or etiquette.

If anyone can recommend a decent electronics/computer store in New York (if that's not considered a competitor) then please recommend. Will give me something to add to my list.
 
Mark A said:
Just out of curiosity why is LA so horrid? I know there are some really bad areas like Compton etc but is the whole place horrid?
Click to expand...
Because it's mainly a nice area surrounded by a load of horrible places. It's one of the most dangerous places in the World to visit. If you're mistaken for a rival gang member, then you will probably die, lol.. but there isn't much chance of that. Walking around by yourself is risky. Don't believe the hype.
 
Was just looking on google maps and its basically just houses upon houses all linked together by straight roads. Don't know why so many celebs live there, unless its just to be near the studios.
 
Mark A said:
Just out of curiosity why is LA so horrid? I know there are some really bad areas like Compton etc but is the whole place horrid?
Click to expand...

Well it's just the impression I got having been to numerous American cities and States LA was a huge let down.

It's a sprawl of mess. It's polluted, messy and feel like a country in itself, yet in city shape. There are so many neighbourhoods and districts that although it's "LA" it feels so alien from one to the other. Compare it with NY or SanFran, people aren't as friendly or have that sense of belonging to the bigger picture. Of course there are the "dodgy" neighbourhoods too, some of which do deserve the reputation, some of which you can't even begin to imagine.

Hollywood, Beverly hills is ok, and there are some nice parts - but it's more of a long weekend destination for me that a whole holiday. I could spend a month in San Fran/NY/Seattle/Boston for example - no way I'd want to spend that much time in LA.
 
L.A. has nice bits and not so nice bits - Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, basically the Northern bits are nice. It then sprawls for miles and miles South which aren't so nice (it's basically the opposite to the UK ;)) , although if you stick to the coast-side then it's pretty much nice all the way down, Manhattan Beach etc.

As Freefaller says, it's a city made up of dozens of discrete 'towns' almost, there's no 'Central L.A' to speak of like in most other cities

That said, I agree I wouldn't really want to stay in L.A. that long (although maybe in Santa Monica/Malibu), there are much nicer places such as San Diego to the South and Santa Barbara to the North.
 
Last edited:
LA is a hole; the Hollywood area with all the stars and stuff is lined with sex shops about 50m from the theatre - ever wondered why the cameras never pan around much? ;)

LA is essentially a working city (what with the studios etc) and isn't in any way glamorous to visit. The traffic is mental, most of the beaches either not nice or crowded, and, um, that's about all I remember after spending 10 days there.

Universal and Magic Mountain are saving graces though!
 
I went to Toronto for couple of weeks in October and went to NY in the middle for 3 days. It was a good plan except that I made the mistake of taking wife and 2 young kids, and it rained non-stop for 2 of the days.

Understand the subways before you go and it will save a lot of time and hassle later. The 'information/ticket kiosks' at the subways are crap. The people in them will answer economically. e.g. one word answers, and are rude, and unhelpful. You will be better off asking randoms on the streets if they are not tourists themselves and have time to stop.

Statue of Liberty is a bargain trip at about $12 which includes return ferry to both islands (Ellis Island is basically an Immigration museum and only worthwhile if you are really into American history. More useful for Americans themselves)
 
dont go to new york its cold and depressing and full of miserable people. Go to las vegas its full of people wanting to have a good time and everywhere is 24 hours open
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom