You'd have to decide whether you're going to stick to Texas and the West Coast...or fly to the East Coast at some point in your trip.
I'd fly from Houston to Phoenix, rent a car and drive to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas...then to LA...then to Santa Barabara / Solvang (wineries), Monterey (Monterey Bay Aquarium) and then to SF and the Bay Area. Maybe a day or two outside of SF in Napa/Sonoma (wine country / balloon ride). If you were going in a warmer time of the year, I'd recommend going to Yosemite and gold rush country but not in March...
You could fly from SFO to somewhere on the East Coast (NYC, DC, Florida). As others have posted, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is great. So is the National Aquarium in Baltimore (an hour from DC). The Amazonia Exhibit at the National Zoo in DC has a great Arapaima display and of course lots of great museums in DC.
Yeah that is something we're weighing up, it seems like many of the things we'd like to do and see are west of Dallas, and as most of the direct flights from/to NZ fly out of LA it seems to make sense to me to focus on that side of the country this time round. Visiting NY/East Coast might be better over summer time anyway?
We're not wine drinkers at all, but my wife found
this map of brew-pubs and breweries on the East Coast so I don't think we'll be short of places to visit for liquid refreshment! I do like the idea of driving around as you get to see more of the country than you would otherwise. I've learned it is a good idea to build in plenty of spare time with this kinda travel as you're always bound to find something interesting and it sucks having to leave it and rush to your next destination.
just rent a Juicy van and drive all over. Being Kiwi, you gotta know what that is. my buddy runs the American branch of Juicy. i'll hook you up. I'd say stay as far away from Disneyland as possible. But there is sea world in san diego. Georgia aquarium is on my list too. It seems us Americans don't travel as much as the rest of the world, even in our own borders. Have fun and try some Copenhagen snuff!! i know you don't have that there. i love having new Kiwis try it!!!! oh yea, don't swallow, just spit.......
Haha yeah I know all about the "freedom campers", we get them staying over in the carpark by the forest at the end of my road fairly frequently over summer! The flexibility would be great, but not sure if the wife will be keen to 'rough it' in a van, probably should have done that sorta holiday 10 years ago...
I had to google 'Copenhagen snuff', can't say I've ever tried chewing tobacco of any sort, I guess travel is all about trying new things though!
I live in Arlington now. Only one min from the cowboys stadium. When you are in town i would be more than willing to give yall a food tour and steer you in the rt directions for fun. We even have a decent music scene here in Dallas. Not even to mention the motorcycle/ stunt scene. Tx has alot to offer now days.
Sounds good, local knowledge on where to eat is always appreciated!
but you're still going to be in dallas? If so Moody gardens is in galveston.... Its the best zoo I have ever seen. They also have a science pyramid, and an aquarium pyramid. Also you could stop by johnson space center... with some work you can get a tour, and if not there is a huge tourist destination (space center houston) right next door. I live right across the road from both.
Yeah we'll definitely be in Dallas for a while as that is where my future-brother-in-law is from. Will be spending some time with family around there, but dad is dead keen on science/history stuff so a visit to the space centre would certainly be on the cards.
Wisconsin has a great lfs in Milwaukee. That puts you close to the shedd aquarium, discovery world, several museums including the museum of science and technology.
Wisconsin is also home to the best and most micros in the country, and there's a reason. We consume 2x the national average in beer.
Although it seems to me that heading west, and seeing all that los angeles has to offer lfs wise is your best choice.
Cool museums, best lfs in the nation, and the aquarium of the Pacific.
If you go to LA or Chicago let me know. Send me a pm and I'll get you behind the scenes at some pretty unique places.
Cheers, will do. I don't think we'll be heading east of Dallas this time unfortunately, but checking out a few LFS in LA would be cool. I don't think I've tried any beers from Wisconsin, I know we're not supposed to have "alcohol-related discussions" on here though, maybe PM me the names of a few to look out for!
Yeah the Bike parks in Colorado are Ski slopes during March. This is right at the end of ski season so some may be closed to skiing but still covered in snow. You may want to check out Moab, Utah for Mountain biking though that may even still be too early for their biking season.
Riding the slick rock at Moab has been a dream since I was in my early teens (over half my life ago now!). The climate in March doesn't seem too bad with the average high/low being 17C/1.4C, though I guess it could vary a bit. Depending on the date of the wedding we could try make it later in March/early April, though my wife is an accountant and with the financial year ending on 31 March she would really need to be back at work by mid April. Hmm, wonder if I could send her home early then hang around for another couple of weeks...
And I'm sorry to say this, but Texas is going to be full of the stereotypical 'Mericans who give the rest of us a bad reputation
Hah, I missed that before. TBH if I didn't meet at least one stereotypically-ignorant flag-waging gun-shootin pickup-driving 'Murican I'd be a little disappointed! I do know you're not all like that (not by a long shot), and stupid people are found in all corners of the world, we're certainly not short of them here...
