USA - where?!

[FlangeBoil]

So I'm looking at heading to the USA next April for my 30th. Probably 5-7 days. I like the idea of Vegas but it also made me think about how many other incredible places there are that just aren't as well known and therefore overlooked.

For those who have been to the states or know it geographically, please recommend some nice areas to visit please! Things I like are as below -

Warm weather
Good/eating out
Nice scenery
Some larger attractions - nowhere too quiet

Thanks!

If I only had 5-7 days I'd stay on the East coast. I was going to suggest California (road trip, if you or someone you're going with, drive) but it's a long old way for only a few days, and as California is as big as a European country then you'd only end up seeing a tiny part of it, which is a shame as it's so diverse. Or save a US trip for another time, when you can stay a fortnight at least? By the time you've got used to the change in time zone and settled into your hotel it'll be time to come home again, and flights have got very expensive the past couple of years.

The New England Coast and similar will NOT be warm in April. It can snow there in mid April, so I'd look further south if you want reliably good weather.

The Rockies will be very snowy at higher altitudes, but much of California will be nice.

Washington DC is lovely during their cherry blossom season, which is gererally in the first half of April.

Washington DC and points south would be nice in April.

Savannah, GA, is a lovely, picturesque city.
San Antonio, TX, has its charms.
There's Florida if you like beaches, boat tours in the Everglades, the Keys.

A lot depends on what you consider fun.

For such a short time you’re probably best looking at direct flights to somewhere to minimise the time spent travelling. So, where can you get to from your nearest airport?

If you’re a night owl staying East would probably be best - I’m usually in bed by 6pm for the first several days of a West coast trip, which is fine as I like to be up and out with the dawn and get a good hike in before a huge breakfast, but that may be your idea of total lunacy.

The lower states at low altitude will be warm in April. Mountains will be cold and most likely snowy.

I want to go to Arizona in April to see the desert wildflowers.

Oh yeah, I skim read and hadn't clocked that OP wanted April.

New Orleans

Asheville, NC. New Orleans, where I just went for the first time, is fab, though.

Following with interest as I'd love to visit some of the less known States.

Las Vegas will be pleasant in April, not too hot but I dont think pool season starts until May. I've been twice though I've never been in April. I wouldn't do less than 7 days due to long flight and time difference

Washington DC. Go for the cherry blossoms and the amazing museums.

Texas, Austin or Houston? It will be warm and not as far as California.

New Orleans - in April you might catch Mardi Gras, or they used to have a fantastic Jazz Fest at the end of April/early May. The weather will be lovely - balmy and warm. Lots of great live music, gorgeous food, interesting architecture and history.

I loved Nashville. With 7 days you could combine it with New Orleans or Memphis. Not sure what their weather is like in April- we went in late October and it was glorious.

April is a variable month for weather so you'd be better going West (California?). On the East side Florida will be warm in the south but the other states more touch and go.

Nashville and Memphis?

This is all fab - thank you! I literally know nothing so all of this is a great way for me to start looking.

Airport wise, I'm in the midlands so nowhere is that far in theory, and I have family in the northern Peak District so Manchester is a good option and I know there are usually some good direct flights from there.

Texas has always appealed to me, so this could definitely be something to look at! I almost dismissed Florida as a 'Disney' thing, which may be an option in a few years when DD is a little older but this is an adults only trip! So definitely worth looking at Florida and not just the Disney/universal element.

If you are considering Florida have a look at St Petes beach

Stick with Vegas and go to the Grand Canyon from there 👌

Manchester is a bit rubbish for direct flights these days. Orlando, New York, Atlanta and Las Vegas and not much more. It really hasn’t recovered since Covid.

Orlando isn’t a terrible choice - Universal Studios is fun as an adult if you avoid Easter, and there are plenty of outdoorsy things to do too.

Florida Keys road trip from Miami
fly to and from Miami, experience the big city for a couple of days, will be hot enough to go the beach. Then rent a car and drive down the Keys, one of the most scenic drives in the world. 2/ 3 days in Key West -live music, Cuban food, beautiful sunsets, then drive back up through Key Largo, Islamorada -lots of wildlife to spot, kayaking and snorkelling opportunities. You could do an airboat tour too going into the Everglades to see alligators.

Then rent a car and drive down the Keys, one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Actually, it's a really long drive and much of it is not particularly scenic. We drove from Miami and got as far as Islamorada last year and tbh it wasn't very scenic at all and the traffic was appalling! I'd have loved to get to Key West, but the traffic was so bad that it would've taken another three hours and it's a single track road, so you're just crawling along behind thousands of others. If you can go at a quiet time of year, fine, but if it's the holidays I wouldn't do it unless I was a huge Hemingway fan.