A week in the US in March?

[signetz]

Me, dh and our 20 year old son and his dp are planning to go to the US in March for a week. We would do Europe, but with the shit that is Brexit, best to avoid until a clearer picture. Plus flights seem to be very reasonable to the US in economy.

We were thinking New York for like 5 days, but then we saw that flights to LA were the same price. I've never been to LA, but dh has family in San Diego that we could perhaps see.

The most annoying this is that our son is 20, and so won't be able to drink, even though his girlfriend will be able to! Would we have problems having wine with dinner? I assume him coming to a bar with us would be a no no? What about wine in our airbnb, would that be legal if we bought it?

Would you say LA is doable without a car? Or is somewhere like New York better. Both ds and his gf are very into art galleries and museums.
As are Dh and I.

Can't comment on LA vs NYC - have only visited NYC - but it's possible to have a great time in either place.

Drinking laws vary from state to state but I believe the minimum age is now 21 in all of them. Some states held out for a while but the federal govt. blocked their roadworks money so eventually they caved. Last of all was Louisiana - it held the drinking age at 18 until the late 1990s.

In my experience, restaurants do not usually check ID at the table so if you ordered for the table and your son does not look especially young, it's not legal but you should be able to pull it off. If the rest of you are ordering, it will seem natural for him to order too. Waitresses will be wanting tips so will probably not be making a fuss unless he looks especially juvenile.

Many states still have 'blue laws' which prohibit serving alcohol of any kind during certain hours. Often restaurants can't serve before 12pm on Sundays and there can be times of night, usually in the early hours, when even 24hr shops can't sell.

Bars and clubs, especially at night, are more likely to check ID and to do so on the door. They will have different policies about whether they admit U21s.

If you buy beer/wine/spirits (hard liquor) to drink at 'home' that is fine, especially since you're his parents and not just some random dude he's tipping to buy for him. Drinking on private premises with parental consent is legal in all but 5 states (AL, AR, ID, NH, WV).

cheers!

Depends on your interests but I think NYC is much more interesting than LA which I didn’t really like at all. San Francisco is lovely if there are flights within your budget there? Norweigan do some good deals to US cities.

Can’t comment on the alcohol situation I’m afraid!

If you’re not driving NYC.

I don’t think you can do LA without a car- it doesn’t have a green belt like U.K. cities- it is area wise the size of London if it stretched to oxford and Brighton!

LA has at least one great art museum but New York has many more. Definitely don’t try LA without a car.

Do NYC over CA if you're not driving and there's plenty of art there!

Regarding drinking, if you're under 21 you can be prosecuted for holding someone's beer for them while they're in the bathroom (the issue is possession, not consumption). Seriously, don't even attempt it. If you're a tourist and caught, you can forget ever traveling to the USA again as you will be blacklisted. I used to send students to the USA for internships and this was a huge issue.

Is drinking the be all and end all for this holiday? Honestly, stick to the rules. LA is quite a trek for 5 days and many of the top sights are spread out so you need a car. LA to SD will take up quite a bit of time. Go to SD instead?

NYC is obviously Manhattan and, with the ugly old underground, all areas are accessible. Or for four of you, get a taxi. It’s a great city. Lots to see and do. It will still be pretty cold in March and the wind can be biting.

I would also consider Washington. Again lots to see and do. Many great museums on The Mall and if you are remotely interested in American history the American History Museum is brilliant as is the Flight museum. Top class. Also going to Arlington Cemetary and Georgetown are highlights. Philadelphia also has a great history and access to Amish country and Gettysburg.

Where I live you are asked for ID at the table in restaurants when ordering alcohol.

Also second PPs in recommending New York.

You should follow the laws regarding underage drinking. And yes, they do check ID in restaurants.

you really need a car for LA everything is so spaced out
for a week id go NYC

For 5 days, and half the party interested in art and museums plus no driving - NYC is a no brainer.

Underage drinking is an enormous deal in the US, expect to be IDed everywhere, whatever your age. Don't take the risk with your son, except in the privacy of your own accommodation.

Not work going to the west coast for one week imo and you need a car. Another vote for New York.

Former US resident here - out of a choice of NYC or LA.....NYC every time. LA is in fact one of the worst cities I've visited.

NYC is a very transport accessible by Subway. As long as you are staying in one of the main boroughs, a subway or taxi will get you everywhere you wanna go. Geographically, it's based around an island (Manhattan) an the surrounding boroughs. No great distances. Loads to do.

LA is a sprawling mess of a city nearly 80k wide. There are transport options but some areas can be difficult to get too. There are lots of attractions - Hollywood, Disney etc but It will be up to you if that is worth the extra travelling time. LA is a further 5 hours flight over NYC.

However - LA is in Striking distance of some of the best cities in the US. Las Vegas is a 4 hour drive (which in turn in near loads of national parks including Grand Canyon) and San Francisco is a half day drive. Therefore the best thing about LA will be getting out of it to visit other places.

Alcohol laws - much like UK you will find some places willingly to turn a blind eye. However in tourists trap areas, you will be carded (even if you are over 40). If you are buying multiple drinks, they'll want to see everyone's ID.
21 is strongly enforced and you won't be able to share wine etc. Inside your hotel room/airbnb will be fine. Your son will not be drinking at restaurants during his visit. Remember also in US, drinking in public will likely end up in a fine.

That's it for now - happy to answer questions. Have spent considerable time in both cities.

There is no problem with over 21s having alcohol at the table but anyone who looks remotely young will be carded. In Boston a U.K. driving license is not strictly an acceptable form of identification, although some places will take it. Passport is safer. DH and I have both been carded and we are in our 50s, some places just automatically do it, especially if someone in your group looks young.