- Joined
- May 29, 2013
- Messages
- 5
Hi all,
Recently got a US Rail Pass, will start using it this June. The only firm fixture is DC, where I'll be 10-13th for a conference. Otherwise, I can pretty much wherever I want; the only condition is that I have to be back in SF by June 24.
But so much choice! Plus I don't really know which places are worth visiting, and which are not. Here is what I'm currently thinking:
I live in the Bay Area, as per above.
(1) Leave around Friday or Saturday via Chicago route.
(2) Stop over one day in Salt Lake City (is it possible to travel SF-SLC by night, and get out in the morning?).
(3) Go to Chicago.
(4) Spend a few days there, as I have a couple of acquaintances there, plus its Chicago, the third biggest city in the US.
(5) Go on east, stop over one day in Pittsburgh (again have a friend there, plus a cool brewery).
(6) Arrive in DC early on 10th, so I can explore the city for one day before the conference starts.
(7) Leave late on 13th - which will also be free.
Now here's a problem. I like poker, and really want to visit Atlantic City for a day, the LV of the East Coast. The only problem is that it isn't connected to the Amtrak network. Is this solvable, or should I just move on? I don't mind missing it.
(8) Will definitely want to spend at least at least a couple of days in NY. Problem? I'm traveling on the cheap, and hotels there are expensive. Unless someone knows of a place to stay that's at least half-way decent and doesn't cost $150+ per night, I'll have to keep it to three days max.
Is it worth visiting Boston and the NE in general?
(9) The return. Here I'll have to make another major decision. I don't want to come back the way I came from, so that leaves:
(a) The northernmost route, and the one I'm favoring most. How realistic would it be to stop over at Yellowstone for a couple of days, rent a car and travel around; then come back and pass one day in Seattle, one day in Portland, before getting back to SF?
(b) The LV/Flagstaff/LA route. Doesn't really sound interesting. I've been to both LV and LA quite a few a few times anyway.
© The southernmost route, through Atlanta, New Orleans, El Paso, LA. Sounds rather more interesting than above, but not by a great deal. Not at all sure what a passing tourist would do in Houston let alone El Paso.
Is it generally possible to structure such a journey such that I'm mostly traveling by night, and visiting cities by day? I'll be going very light - just a couple of changes of clothes, laptop, and Kindle - which will fit in one rucksack. The only cities where I expect to stay more a day are Chicago, Washington, and NY.
Any thoughts? Advice? Before I start booking. Thanks.
Recently got a US Rail Pass, will start using it this June. The only firm fixture is DC, where I'll be 10-13th for a conference. Otherwise, I can pretty much wherever I want; the only condition is that I have to be back in SF by June 24.
But so much choice! Plus I don't really know which places are worth visiting, and which are not. Here is what I'm currently thinking:
I live in the Bay Area, as per above.
(1) Leave around Friday or Saturday via Chicago route.
(2) Stop over one day in Salt Lake City (is it possible to travel SF-SLC by night, and get out in the morning?).
(3) Go to Chicago.
(4) Spend a few days there, as I have a couple of acquaintances there, plus its Chicago, the third biggest city in the US.
(5) Go on east, stop over one day in Pittsburgh (again have a friend there, plus a cool brewery).
(6) Arrive in DC early on 10th, so I can explore the city for one day before the conference starts.
(7) Leave late on 13th - which will also be free.
Now here's a problem. I like poker, and really want to visit Atlantic City for a day, the LV of the East Coast. The only problem is that it isn't connected to the Amtrak network. Is this solvable, or should I just move on? I don't mind missing it.
(8) Will definitely want to spend at least at least a couple of days in NY. Problem? I'm traveling on the cheap, and hotels there are expensive. Unless someone knows of a place to stay that's at least half-way decent and doesn't cost $150+ per night, I'll have to keep it to three days max.
Is it worth visiting Boston and the NE in general?
(9) The return. Here I'll have to make another major decision. I don't want to come back the way I came from, so that leaves:
(a) The northernmost route, and the one I'm favoring most. How realistic would it be to stop over at Yellowstone for a couple of days, rent a car and travel around; then come back and pass one day in Seattle, one day in Portland, before getting back to SF?
(b) The LV/Flagstaff/LA route. Doesn't really sound interesting. I've been to both LV and LA quite a few a few times anyway.
© The southernmost route, through Atlanta, New Orleans, El Paso, LA. Sounds rather more interesting than above, but not by a great deal. Not at all sure what a passing tourist would do in Houston let alone El Paso.
Is it generally possible to structure such a journey such that I'm mostly traveling by night, and visiting cities by day? I'll be going very light - just a couple of changes of clothes, laptop, and Kindle - which will fit in one rucksack. The only cities where I expect to stay more a day are Chicago, Washington, and NY.
Any thoughts? Advice? Before I start booking. Thanks.