North America and Canada - Winter Trip End of 09

North America » United States
Topic Type: Information

Planning a 4 Week trip from LA across to NY - Few Stops and then into Canada - Any help or suggestions?

Paul Booker
Post Count: 1

Msg: #1 59 days ago, October 4th 2008

Hi, I was just hoping some fellow travellers could share some experience or suggestions about a trip my wife and I are planning - probably for the end of 2009. We will have 2 small kids and want to do things on a budget as much as possible; and we dont mind driving distances as we are from Australia - so we are used to it!

We are planning to leave early December 2009, fly from Australia to L.A - stay a few days, drive to Las Vegas, stay a few days, drive to Grand Canyon - sight see, fly out to NYC, spend a few days (is their christmas events attractions in NYC?). The drive from NY to Boston - stay 2 days, then to Niagara Falls - then into Canada to do some skiing and see all of the sites.

Like I said we are planning to do this trip in about 4 weeks, hopefully including a white christmas - probably in Canada. We enjoy seeing amazing sites and any adventure activities too, is there anything that we really shouldnt miss, or should try to see? Do you think any of this is really unreasonable?

Thanks for your help in advance, i look forward to your replies.

Paul

Stephanie and Andras

Stephanie and Andras
Post Count: 95

Msg: #2 58 days ago, October 5th 2008

Hi Paul. Welcome to Travelblog!

Your planned trip sounds very reasonable. It takes a few hours to drive from L.A to Vegas and about half-a-day to drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon (the North Rim is closer, but the South Rim is where most visitors go).

There are two majors things that will drive your costs up: fuel and food. When you get a vehicle try to get the most fuel-efficient one you can. Many car rental companies will "upgrade" you to an SUV and act like it's a good thing but then you'll end up spending nearly twice as much to fill up the tank. Also, especially on those days you're driving you're better off going to a grocery store and picking up bread, cold-cuts, fruit and making sandwiches or your own lunch rather than stopping for fast-food.

Also if you're planning on staying at hotels, but not booking in advance, you can pick up coupon and budget accommodation guides at lots of rest stops and at airports. We've used them quite often and you can save a lot on last-minute reservations. Comfort Inn, Super 8, Best Western...those are all budget hotels that, for the most part, are decent, clean, comfortable places to sleep. The one place I'd recommend you research and book is Vegas. There are some GREAT deals in December and you could easily stay in one of the themed hotels for just as much if not cheaper than the budget ones. Plus they'll often throw in complimentary buffets and amenities like that because the weeks prior to Christmas are the low-season. Here's the Vegas tourism board website where you can search for the latest deals. That's what we used to book our trip there last December.

There will be lots of winter/Christmas events in NYC. I found a list of holiday activities on the New York City tourism website. I've never been in the winter, but ice-skating in Rockefeller Center and seeing the tree is one of those activities that immediately comes to mind when you say "Christmas in New York."

Naughtybut nice

Karen
Post Count: 15

Msg: #3 57 days ago, October 6th 2008

Hi Paul,

I live just outside of Banff in a small town called Cochrane. Should you decide to head out this way I would suggest you stay in Cochrane and drive to the mountains. We are only about 50 minutes from Banff and hotels are a fraction of the cost. There is also a small ski hill just 30 minutes away called Nakiska - that is perfect for a family ski trip. A trip up to Lake Louise (approximately 90 mins) is also well worth the trip. Head for the Chateaux and you can ice skate and enjoy hot chocolate in a beautiful setting. Hope you have a good trip:)

Sharni

Sharni Koenig
Post Count: 6

Msg: #4 20 days ago, November 12th 2008

My only recommendation fro a fellow aussie traveller is fly in and start from San Francisco. Much better city more to see and drive from there to Vegas prehaps via Yosemite. You will definately not miss much by not going to LA especially with kids.

Mell

Mel Fla
Post Count: 5072

Msg: #5 15 days ago, November 17th 2008

Hello Paul

Be sure to bring enough ski wear for everyday while you are in Canada. I lived in Toronto for a year. Winter is incredibly cold. So cold that you face becomes numb within 5 minutes of being outside and touching anything metal outside resultes in painful frostburn so watch out with door handles etc. If you are in Toronto you will certainly have a white Christmas. Snowflakes as big as golf balls fell everyday for 5 months while I was there.

I dont know what the West coast is like. Maybe the temperatures are different there.

Mel

Oliver Johnston
Post Count: 43

Msg: #6 14 days ago, November 18th 2008

I'm from Toronto and we rarely get a white Christmas - I don't recall getting one in the last few years (Mell unless you're thinking of some of the areas a bit further north/northwest?). The real snow doesn't usually start until January there (and last year we were walloped). If you want a white Christmas in Canada I suggest somewhere a little further north - for example Ottawa, Montreal or Quebec City (this year is the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City so could make for a nice trip). The great benefit of Canadian cities is that you only have to drive for about an hour to find some beautiful wilderness. For example in Ottawa you could try driving just across the border into Quebec and explore the Gatineau hills - very popular among locals. Just be careful when driving in the snow though and be sure to bring your mitts, scarves, boots and a parka.

If you want a less "urban" experience you can look up resorts in the Muskoka area of Ontario (about 2-3 hours' drive north of Toronto), where they have some great locations for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and so on.

Hope this helps!

Mell

Mel Fla
Post Count: 5072

Msg: #7 13 days ago, November 18th 2008

I'm from Toronto and we rarely get a white Christmas - I don't recall getting one in the last few years (Mell unless you're thinking of some of the areas a bit further north/northwest?).

This was down town Toronto. It started snowing in November and did not stop until some time in March. I must have been there for an exceptionally snowy Winter then? It was around 14 years ago. Looks like I got lucky, because I love snow. :) But I have never been in anyplace as cold as it was in Toronto that Winter. At least there was a sauna in the building where I lived. :)

Oliver Johnston
Post Count: 43

Msg: #8 13 days ago, November 19th 2008

Oh, well 14 years ago maybe it did! We've had a lot of green Christmases over the last several years (although I just did an online search and it looks like there actually was snow on the ground last year) and it seems white ones are becoming less and less frequent. Just be glad you weren't there last year though - last winter was the second snowiest in Canadian history. It made my commute miserable and I'm more than happy to be living out the winter here in Shanghai this year.

Toronto is nothing compared to Ottawa or Montreal though. The temperatures are much colder and the snow just keeps coming. Good thing you like it because I sure don't!! ;)

Kiresuda

Sue Thorne
Post Count: 1

Msg: #9 4 days ago, November 28th 2008

Hi Paul

A little freaky falling upon your blog. My husband and I (and two kids - but big ones) are planning a trip similar to yours in December 2009. I got so far with it and then thought the cold weather may hamper us - as we are from Central Queensland and winters aren't very cold here.

I'm now thinking I might take the girls out of school for a couple of weeks mid-year.

Sue

Number of Users: 7
Number of Posts: 9

Post New Topic

Forums » North America Travel Forum