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Recommendation for Swiss RV builder first trip to NY, Vegas And parks And Oshkosh

N

Naigool

Active Member
Hi folks,
I know this forum is not a travel agency forum but I think it is the more reliable aviation related forum with the best people reading it.
So even if I'm not close to finish my RV7 project, I decided to spend my yearly Hollidays in USA to specialy take part at the EAA Airventure in Oshkosh!
So I already booked my flight tickets as following:
- July 4th flight to NYC Kennedy
- July 7th flight from NYC to Las Vegas
- July 15 th flight from LAS to Chicago
- July 25 th flight from Chicago back to home

I already booked a room dorm in the university of Wisconsin Oshkosh from July 19th to July 24th.

Until now, I didn't booked anything else like hotel rooms or rental cars and would like to have the most idea and recommendation on what to do/see in New York, Las Vegas parks and region from Chicago to Oshkosh, and for sur, how to organize my 6 days in Airventure at the best!
I also would like to know if some of the guys on this forum are flying an RV in the vicinity of my trip to mybe share a nice moment and maybe a short flight...
Any recommendation regarding accommodation, activities and transportation would be highly appreciate!
I basically planned to visit NY for 3 days ( someone flying an RV there?), than visit Zion, Bryce, antelope, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon and 4 days trip from Chicago to Oshkosk near by or around the lake...

Big thanks to all your recommendation; and sorry for my basic English...:)
Cheers

Nicolas
 
That is certainly a very action packed vacation.

My only suggestion would to visit two additional places close to Monument Valley if time permits. Monument Valley is nice but it looks just like the pictures and can be driven thru in a short period of time.

The two other places are; Mesa Verde and Hovenweep National Parks/Monuments. Both of these places include prehistoric villages built between A.D. 1200 and 1300. You can Goole both places for more information. Cortez Colorado is centrally located to both places and you can easily drive to Mesa Verde and Hovenweep from Cortez.

Cheers,
Dan
 
Activities

NYC
Times Square
Broadway show
St. Patrick's cathedral
As many museums as you can
Carnegie Deli

Vegas
Any big show but if you like the Beatles Circ de Sole "Love" show
Bellagio fountain show at night
Mirage night show
Walk the strip
Freemont District
Grand Canyon, plan on hot temps
 
NYC- interpid Aircraft carrier. Lunch at Chinatown / Little Italy. Drinks in SoHo / Village. Hot Dogs and Pretzles in Central Park. See the Statue of Liberty but don't wast time going in. See the Empire State... Don't go in. 9-11 memorial. Time Square!

Las Vegas- Beatles Live show. I like different places to hang out in Vegas. Hang out= Hard Rock Casino. Drink/Party = downtown strip. Gamble = still looking for a lucky spot. I have had the best personal streaks at Bellagio.

Chicago Science and Industry Meseum and Field Meseum. Don't forget to get Giordannos deep dish pizza.

If you find yourself in Kansas City, I'll take you up!
 
Xkuzme1 said:
See the Statue of Liberty but don't wast time going in. See the Empire State... Don't go in. 9-11 memorial.
Click to expand...

Best way to see Lady Liberty and get some great views of the five boroughs of NYC is to take the free ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island and back. It won't take long, you can bring a sandwich and have lunch on the ferry. I agree, don't bother going in.

But the Empire State Building is a nice perch from which to see all of Manhattan on a nice day. I would skip the 9-11 memorial, it's pretty grim.
 
US trip

New York: Lots of ways to do this. Good walking shoes required. Last trip stayed just west of Times Square (8th & 50th streets) a good location for a base of operations. Saw Natural History Museum, views from top of Rockefeller Center, Intrepid, St Patrick's Cathederal, Times Square. Narrated cruise boat that goes around entire city in about 3-4 hrs was very historical and interesting, or a shorter version would be see the Intrepid then take the water taxi from there to Battery park on South tip of Manhattan and see 911 memorial and Wall Street, if you buy round trip ticket boat makes couple stops on way back including photo stop at Statue of Liberty. ****'s Kitchen neighborhood was close to hotel and a great choice for evening dining with anything you could possibly want.

Don B

RV 9 Rebuild in Progress
 
cajunwings said:
New York: Lots of ways to do this. Good walking shoes required. Last trip stayed just west of Times Square (8th & 50th streets) a good location for a base of operations. Saw Natural History Museum, views from top of Rockefeller Center, Intrepid, St Patrick's Cathederal, Times Square. Narrated cruise boat that goes around entire city in about 3-4 hrs was very historical and interesting, or a shorter version would be see the Intrepid then take the water taxi from there to Battery park on South tip of Manhattan and see 911 memorial and Wall Street, if you buy round trip ticket boat makes couple stops on way back including photo stop at Statue of Liberty. ****'s Kitchen neighborhood was close to hotel and a great choice for evening dining with anything you could possibly want.

Don B

RV 9 Rebuild in Progress
Click to expand...

So far all of the places everyone has mentioned for NYC are great... one additional place that usually gets overlooked as a great, don't miss place to go when you're in Manhattan is: GRAND CENTRAL STATION, Vanderbilt & 42 nd St... a definite must see. You'll know why when you get inside to the main ticket lobby. And, be sure to ride the NYC subways... :)

Enjoy.

Victor
 
Ignore the cities

Nicolas,

As the title suggests, forget the cities. Europe has lots of cities. See the country and visit people. Your idea of parks is a great one. If you get to Denver I will give you a ride in my 6a.

Good luck with the visit!

Geoff
 
I would skip the flight from Vegas to Chicago and do that leg in a rental car, you will get to see a lot more. Stay in small towns along the way.
 
Si I got many tips for NYC and some for Vegas... Any good tips on the trip from Chicago to Oshkosh? Should I drive around the Michigan Lake and visit the sleeping bear dune or is it not worth the long drive?
How shoul I organize my 5-6 days in Oshkosh? Shows, evening event to absolutely not miss..???
Any good tips on accommodation in NYC, parks around Vegas?
Thanks again guys!

Nicolas
 
Vegas

Rent a car in Vegas , drive to Zion National park , Cedar Breaks ,Bryce Canyon,Escalante ,and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon out of St.George .Buy a tent and sleeping bag for the cost of 1 night in a hotel .
 
Better yet, rent the car in Vegas drive to St George Utah and get some RV driver there to give you a ride around Zion Natl Park!
And if you have time then drive to Chicago.

John Morgan

PS don't forget to come see us at Homebuilt Camping in Oshsosh
Watch for info on the Mon night beer fairy party!
 
I drove a car/camper around the lake for my vacation one year when I left Oshkosh. Great trip. Mackinaw Island... Sleepy Bear... Straits... Upper Pennensula was great. West coast of Michigan is forgettable.

If you e got the time... It's a great trip. But spending time in Chicago is always a good idea too. Do you fancy the city or country side. Both are great. Boils down to personal preferences. Mackinaw island is tough to beat though!
 
g zero said:
Rent a car in Vegas , drive to Zion National park , Cedar Breaks ,Bryce Canyon,Escalante ,and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon out of St.George .Buy a tent and sleeping bag for the cost of 1 night in a hotel .
Click to expand...

Agree. You will not be disappointed. Amazing sights to see and experience. Absolute eye candy everywhere you look.

- Hoover Dam
- Flagstaff, AZ
- Lake Powell
- Sedona, AZ
- Monument Valley
- Bryce Canyon, UT
- Zion, UT
- Capitol Reef, UT
- Arches, UT
- Moab (Mountain Bike, river raft, 4WD)
- Rocky Mountain NP

Welcome to our beautiful country, hope your stay is fantastic.
 
Speaking as someone who has lived in (and will return to) Utah for 35 years, after touring central and southern UT, I would get myself to Salt Lake City and book a 3.5 hour airline flight to Chicago. Otherwise it's a loooong 2+ day drive across prairie and farm country to Chicago. Add another half day to Oshkosh.
 
Naigool said:
....


I basically planned to visit NY for 3 days ( someone flying an RV there?),


....

Nicolas
Click to expand...


Hi Nicolas,
PM or email me via VAF when you are here in NYC. I have some plans but it could change any time. Maybe we can go for a ride over Big Apple in my RV9A.
Vlad
 
Steve said:
Speaking as someone who has lived in (and will return to) Utah for 35 years, after touring central and southern UT, I would get myself to Salt Lake City and book a 3.5 hour airline flight to Chicago. Otherwise it's a loooong 2+ day drive across prairie and farm country to Chicago. Add another half day to Oshkosh.
Click to expand...

Vegas to Denver isn't a bad drive, and driving through the Rockies is worthwhile. But I would definitely book an airline flight from Denver to Chicago.
 
Hits on Oshkosh

Once again, a big thanks to those tips, and Vlad, I will be glad to take a ride with you!
Any tips on Oshkosh, thinks or party I must go? This is my first time there and I'm worrie ti miss important thinks, presentation or shows... I want to make me an idea wich engine and avionics I will install in my 7 and mainly if I go standard build like Van's plans and recommendation or if I want to modify some parts! ( like engine cowl...)
 
Chicago

Chicago: As was previously mentioned if you're into checking out cities, there's a LOT to do here.
-Downtown, Lakefront, Buckingham Fountain, Millennium Park, the "Bean"
- Cocktails on the top of the Hancock Building (95th floor - awesome view)
- Art Institute
- Navy Pier
- Architecture boat tour
-If you're into music you can find everything from Blues, Jazz, Rock, Classical, Opera, you name it.
- Personally I'd skip the Giordano's and look up Pequod's Pizza. Best in Chicago in my opinion. :)

That's scratching the surface. Hit me up if you want specifics on any of those areas of interest.

Oshkosh is a 3 hr drive from Chicago if you do it straight.
 
A have now quiet a lot of tips for NYC, Chicago and Vegas but nothing regarding Oskosh! Should I just go there and look the shows or is there any secrets things to know?
What do you recommend? Subscribe to EAA to buy the week pass or buy day by day tickets?
Any other tips regarding my trip will be welcome!

Cheers

Nicolas
 
If I recall properly, the break even on tickets is four days, but you can do that math.

Trust me, since this is your first time at OSH, you will not be lacking on things to do at the airport. You will be in aviation overload. For example:

  • It will take a half day just to walk by all the vendors in the exhibit halls. If you stop to talk to some, clearly it will take longer.
  • A couple hours to go through the museum
  • A half day to go to the Sea Plane base
  • With all the homebuilts, vintage, and warbirds on the field, it will take a day or two to walk by them all. More time if you stop to talk with any of the owners.
  • Then there is all the vendors scattered around the grounds.
  • Not to mention all the forums and workshops that run 8-5 everyday
  • All the activities in the evenings, like the Van's dinner (buy tickets in advance directly from Van's), Homebuilt Dinner, Homebuilt Corn Roast, Beer Fairy, and the numerous vendor hospitality events
  • Daily airshows, along with a couple at night
  • Nightly movies

I've just touched the tip of the iceberg. As you can see, there is more to do than you can fit into your schedule.
 
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