Brits in need of advice

[DanB]

Some Brits in need of advice…

Hi there need some advice for the Summer hols. Last year we (me and the better half) did the east coast Boston – New York – Washington –Williamsburg- Orlando-Miami and I am a regular traveller to the East coast. This year we are starting on the west coast, going to Las Vegas and finding our own way to LA. Leaving LA on the 3rd August (approx).

Not quite sure what the highlights are travelling eastwards. In a conundrum between going via Chicago or Houston. Though we definitely want to go to Memphis. Can you highlight the spots to stop off at on each route. What is there in Albuquerque, Dodge and Kansas City? What is the scenery like going south rather than going through the Mid West? Any advice much appreciated. What would you do and where would you stop?

We need to be in New Orleans by about the 12th August. We basically have a very flexible schedule at the moment.

Suggestions and advice appreciated.

 

[NativeSon5859]

Some Brits in need of advice…
Hi there need some advice for the Summer hols. Last year we (me and the better half) did the east coast Boston – New York – Washington –Williamsburg- Orlando-Miami and I am a regular traveller to the East coast. This year we are starting on the west coast, going to Las Vegas and finding our own way to LA. Leaving LA on the 3rd August (approx).

Not quite sure what the highlights are travelling eastwards. In a conundrum between going via Chicago or Houston. Though we definitely want to go to Memphis. Can you highlight the spots to stop off at on each route. What is there in Albuquerque, Dodge and Kansas City? What is the scenery like going south rather than going through the Mid West? Any advice much appreciated. What would you do and where would you stop?

We need to be in New Orleans by about the 12th August. We basically have a very flexible schedule at the moment.

Suggestions and advice appreciated.

As far as scenery from the train goes, the Southwest Chief from L.A to Chicago via Albuquerque and Kansas City is nice for the first two nights. The scenery in New Mexico and Arizona is very captivating. The last day of the ride, from K.C to Chicago, is mostly running through farmland, although there is a really neat crossing of the Mississippi River in Iowa. The train stops at Flagstaff which is very close to the Grand Canyon...well worth a visit. New Mexico in general is nice to visit...especially Santa Fe, which is a popular tourist destination near Albuquerque. As far as K.C goes, I've spent a lot of time there, and it's an OK place but I wouldn't say it's a "must see" sort of place...very good bar-b-que there, though.

On the Sunset Limited train from L.A to New Orleans, the scenery is mostly desert landscape, some mountains, vast plains of East Texas, and then you roll through Bayou contry with a bunch of water crossings in Louisiana before crossing the spectacular Huey P. Long bridge spanning the Mississippi River near New Orleans. On that route, San Antonio is probably worth a visit...I was there once, and I liked it.

Since you want to see Memphis, I'd probably suggest taking the Southwest Chief L.A-Chicago (which is an interesting city in its own right), and then you can connect the same day if you wish to the City of New Orleans train down to Memphis...and then after seeing MEM, jump on the same train down to its namesake city. This way, you don't have to backtrack.

edit: or, if you have the time, you could always take the Texas Eagle (which combines with the Sunset Limited) out of L.A and go L.A-San Antonio-Chicago. That's another option.