Category: USA

Don’ts of Texas: Tips for Your First Visit

Greetings from Texas! Every travel blog tells you what to do when you travel, but we like to tell you what not to do, so you can be prepared for your trip. Whether you’re visiting San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston or any other city in Texas, these are the “don’ts” of visiting Texas.

Texas Tip #1: Don’t Expect to Get Around Quickly

Texas is HUGE! Traveling around the state between cities can take hours and there’s no public transportation network for travelers to use outside of the cities. Your choices are to fly or drive, and most people will drive. The distances in Texas are vast; for example from Houston to El Paso it’s 1200 kilometers, or 745 miles! So be prepared to rent a car, and give yourself enough time for travel. While you’re driving in Texas, don’t forget to pay attention to other drivers! Even if you’re not leaving the urban areas, travel times are often excessive due to traffic jams, especially at rush hour.       

Texas Tip #2: Don’t Forget to Take in the Views

As you drive around Texas, while paying attention to the road, make sure you take in all of the scenery as well. Texas is really beautiful, from open plains to hill country, historic buildings and coastlines.

Texas Tip #3: Don’t Miss Out on Buc-ee’s or Other Truck Stops

The big truck stops in Texas, like Buc-ee’s, can be tourist stops on their own. Buc-ee’s is like Field & Stream + Wal-Mart + an upscale gas station, all in one! You will inevitably need to stop somewhere along the road, and these are great options for getting gas and snacks and finding clean restrooms. (Also: don’t skip the beaver nuggets at Buc-ee’s!)

Watch: Five Foods You Have to Eat at Buc-ee’s

Texas Tip #4: Don’t Skip the Local Shops and Produce

Make sure you take advantage of local products when you are visiting Texas. From Buc-ee’s, HEB groceries, What-A-Burger. Look for local events, too. Football is HUGE in Texas, so if you’re here in the fall, find a football game to attend.

Texas Tip #5: Don’t Drink Non-Texas Beer

Texas has great beer, so take advantage of it. Texas has a lot of German immigrants, so beer culture is strong. There are dozens of micro-breweries and Texas beer brands to try.

Texas Tip #6: Don’t Forget to Mind Your Manners

People in Texas are generally very nice and super friendly. Texas is the south, so manners are important. Don’t forget please, thank you and holding doors.

Texas Tip #7: Don’t Confuse Texas with the Deep South

Texas is it’s own culture, so it’s not the Deep South, although it often gets lumped in with the Deep South. Texas was even it’s own country at one point, so it’s very different from other Southern states.

Texas Tip #8:  Don’t Eat Pork BBQ. Eat Beef BBQ.

In other areas famous for BBQ, pork is the main staple. However, in Texas, it’s all about beef. Beef brisket is the best BBQ to eat in Texas.

Texas Tip #9: Don’t Forget to Come Hungry

When they say “everything is bigger in Texas,” the portion sizes are no exception. Anytime you eat at a restaurant in Texas, you’re going to get a LOT of food! If you have room after all of the brisket, try to find a Frito pie, another Texas specialty! If you see a line outside of a restaurant, get in line because that’s the sign of good food!

Read: Five Foods You Have to Eat in Texas

Texas Tip #10: Don’t Forget the Queso

In Texas, queso is more than just cheese dip, it’s a way of life.

Texas Tip #11: Don’t Stop at the Queso

Tex-Mex food is amazing; so back to #9, don’t forget to come hungry! In San Antonio, the local specialty is the puffy tacos, a must when you’re visiting!

Texas Tip #13: Don’t Complain About the Weather

Texas weather can be crazy. In the summer, it can be unbearably hot. So, if you visit Texas in the summer, be prepared for heat and don’t complain. What may surprise you is that Texas can get pretty cold in the winter. Check the weather before you come so you’re not caught off guard.

Texas Tip #14: Don’t Skip the Sights

Texas has a lot of cool things to do besides eating. There are museums, natural wonders and fun towns all over Texas. Go to Austin, Dallas, Houston or some of the coastal cities like Padre Island. San Antonio is one of our favorites places in Texas, and besides the Alamo, the Spanish missions are really cool to visit.

Read: Five Tips for Visiting San Antonio

Texas Tip #15: Don’t Be Surprised When a Lot of Texans Aren’t From Texas

There’s a lot of money and development in Texas, and this brings people from all over who move to Texas. Austin and Dallas are especially popular cities for relocation, so it can be difficult to meet an actual native to these areas, with so many transplants in town.  

These are my “don’ts” of Texas. We’ve really enjoyed the people, food, drinks, art and culture of Texas. Feel free to add more in the comments below! For more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos:

• 17 Don’ts of Visiting the USA
• Ten Things That Will Shock You About the South
• The Don’ts of Visiting Austin Texas

The Don’ts of USA Travel

Greetings from Mystic, Connecticut! Today we’re sharing travel tips from our home country. Anytime you travel, anywhere in the world, there are things you should do, but there are also things you should not do.This post is about the “Don’ts” of USA travel.

USA Travel Don’t #1: Don’t Touch the Americans

Americans really like their personal space, almost as if they have a protective bubble around them. If you get too close to an American, it makes them very uncomfortable. Make sure to leave a bit of space around you,and don’t crowd (or touch) the Americans.

USA Travel Don’t #2: Don’t Count on Public Transportation

In many parts of the world, it’s easy to get around without a private car. That’s not so in the U.S. and you can’t count on public transportation to see a lot of the country. The bigger cities like New York and Chicago have pretty good train and bus systems for getting around within the city and neighboring suburbs, but once you get out into the countryside and smaller towns, the options for public transportation are not good, and sometimes unsafe.

USA Travel Don’t #3: Don’t Underestimate the Size of the U.S.

Think of the Continental United States like Continental Europe;it’s huge. You would never plan  a road trip to Lisbon to Paris to Tallinn to Sofia, but many visitors to the U.S. try to plan a trip from New York to Miami to Los Angeles in two weeks. If you only have a few weeks, the best approach is to pick a region of the U.S. (New England, Southwest, Southeast, etc) and spend more quality time exploring one region.

Some examples of distance in the U.S.:

• Chicago to Los Angeles: 2077 miles/3342 km
• Miami to Las Vegas: 2566 miles/4129 km
• New York to Orlando: 1080 miles/1738 km

USA Travel Don’t #4: Don’t Forget About Sales Tax

The price you see on goods in the U.S. is not the final price you will pay. Most of the states in the U.S. add a sales tax to the price when you pay. Some cities add their own sales tax on top of the state tax. And then some goods, like food, are taxed differently than other goods, or not at all. There are currently five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon)with no sales tax. If these states are on your itinerary, plan to do your souvenir shopping here!

USA Travel Don’t #5: Don’t Forget to Tip

On top of sales tax, plan to add another 15-20% to your restaurant bill for gratuity. At a sit-down restaurant with table service,tipping is customary, as service wages are lower than minimum wage. (It’s not necessary to tip at a fast-food or counter-service establishment.) If you are dining with a large group, sometimes the gratuity is automatically added to the bill. When ordering drinks at the bar, it’s good practice to tip a few dollars when you buy a round; this will ensure good service on subsequent rounds.

USA Travel Don’t #6: Don’t Get Freaked Out by Attentive Service & Free Stuff

Because we’re in a tipping culture, a lot of the service can seem over the top to someone from another country. However, people in the U.S. are generally very nice helpful, it’s part of our culture. Also, don’t be surprised at some of the things you’ll get for free at restaurants. Generally, before the meal you’ll get bread , or chips and salsa, depending on the type of restaurant. Tap water (not bottled) is also standard, so that’s usually brought to your table without asking.

USA Travel Don’t #7: Don’t Smoke (Cigarettes) in the U.S.

Cigarettes have become very taboo in the U.S. and people will look at you like you are trying to kill their baby if you smoke around them.What’s funny is, people don’t seem to mind at all about marijuana smoking these days, but cigarettes are totally verboten. If you do smoke, make sure you find a place where you are allowed. (It will vary by state, but there’s usually a prescribed distance from entryways that you can smoke) Most hotels, restaurants and indoor public spaces are smoke-free in the U.S.

USA Travel Don’t #8: Don’t Try to Buy Alcohol Unless You are 21 Years Old

Age limits on alcohol (21) and cigarettes (18) are pretty strict in the U.S. and you won’t be able to buy them without showing the proper I.D.Make sure you have an ID with your birth date. Even if you are in your 30’s, you may be asked to show I.D. Don’t get mad at the person requesting your ID, as they could lose their job if they don’t follow the proper procedures.

USA Travel Don’t #9: Don’t Bother With the Metric System

The U.S. does not use the metric system. Everything is in miles,pounds or gallons. Very few people in the U.S. will be familiar with the metric system, so be prepared to convert distances or amounts, using the baseline below.

For reference:

• 1 Gallon = 3.78 Liters
• 1 Foot = 30 cm
• 1 Yard = 0.9 meters
• 1 Mile = 1.61 km
• 1 Pound = 0.45 kg
• 12 ounces = 355 ml

USA Travel Don’t #10: Don’t Talk Gun Control or Politics

There are a few topics that will most certainly end in arguments,so it’s best not to bring them up. Gun Control and Politics are very polarizing topics, so stick to safer topics such as weather, sports or travel.

USA Travel Don’t #11: Don’t Assume All Americans are the Same

The U.S. is very diverse, geographically, and culturally. There is no “typical American” any more than there is a “typical European.” The U.S.has many different cultures and landscapes. If you travel across the country,you’ll see these regional differences in the cuisine, the language, and mannerisms. If you can, try to visit more than one region and take in these differences; you will be surprised.

USA Travel Don’t #12: Don’t Say the U.S. Has No Culture

The U.S. is sometimes accused of having no culture, but that’s arude assumption. There are many cultural centers in the U.S. New Orleans has a unique Cajun culture with French roots, New England has a very distinct and historic culture, with some of the oldest buildings in the U.S. The Southwest isa great place to learn about Native American culture. Just because the United States is a “newer” country, doesn’t mean there isn’t culture to experience here.

USA Travel Don’t #13: Don’t Think “How are You” is Actually a Question

Americans will often ask “how are you” and then quickly move on.Don’t feel bad if you are asked this, but the person doesn’t wait for an answer. It’s almost more of a greeting in the U.S. than a question. It’s similar to “ça va?” in French; it’s just a greeting said in passing, not a conversation starter.

USA Travel Don’t #14: Don’t Expect Free Extras at Fancy Hotels

In the U.S. the more expensive hotels usually have fewer free amenities. Things like WiFi and breakfast are usually not included in your luxury resorts. The mid-range hotels will offer more freebies, like continental breakfast, free parking and sometimes airport shuttles. Watch out for hidden resort fees, which are becoming very common at higher-end hotels and resorts in the U.S.

USA Travel Don’t #15: Don’t Miss the Local Cuisine

Each region of the U.S. has unique cuisine worth exploring. Herein New England, it’s all about the seafood, with lobsters and clams. Southern food is some of the best in the U.S. with fried chicken, mac n’cheese, grits and BBQ. Don’t just eat at chain restaurants. Ask at your hotel to find out the best local food to try. The locally owned restaurants usually have better service than the chain restaurants, too, because they are often family-owned.

USA Travel Don’t #16: Don’t Get Sick

Healthcare in the U.S. is insanely expensive. Just because you are visiting from another country, doesn’t mean they won’t track you down to pay your bill. Make sure you have traveler’s insurance that will cover medical expenses in the U.S. Something as silly as a broken ankle can cost you thousands, so be careful and be prepared!

USA Travel Don’t #17: Don’t Argue That There are More Than 50 States

For some reason, people outside the U.S. tend to argue that the U.S. has 52 states. It’s not true. There are 48 continental United States, plus Alaska and Hawaii. (Washington D.C. is a federal district, and Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory)

For more tips on USA travel, check out some of our other videosand blog posts:

• Ten Things That Will Shock You About the U.S.
• The Don’ts of Visiting Texas
• The Don’ts of Visiting New York City
• Five Things You Will Love & Hate About Disney World

What to Know Before Visiting Las Vegas for the First Time

Don’ts of Visiting Florida: Tips for A Successful Vacation

Greetings from Clearwater Beach, Florida, voted the #1 beach inthe U.S. Florida has a lot of great stuff you should do, but there are alsosome things you should not do in Florida. There are many American touristsvisiting Florida, as well as International travelers who visit Florida. Foranyone planning a Florida vacation, these “don’ts” will make your Florida tripeasier and more enjoyable.

Florida Tip #1 Don’t Mess With the Critters

There are some wild and exotic animals in Florida, including alligators and sharks. They aren’t just a tourist attraction; they are wild animals and can be dangerous. If you see signs at the beach with shark warnings, heed them. Follow any signs and instructions to stay safe from the wildlife in Florida.

Florida Tip #2 Don’t Expect to See All of Florida in One Trip

There are so many things to do in Florida, and it’s actually a really long state, over 500 miles from north to south. There is way too much to cover in one vacation, so travelers to Florida really need to focus in on one or two areas to visit, otherwise expect to burn out trying to see everything. This is especially true for visiting Florida with kids. Be realistic about how much ground can be covered each day.

Florida Tip #3 Don’t Sleep In

Early risers in Florida are treated to quiet, serene beaches before all of the tourists show up. This also applies for the theme parks; early in the day, the crowds are smaller, so it pays to get up early and get going. Go to bed earlier if you need to, but take advantage of early mornings and getting ahead of the crowds.

Florida Tip #4 Don’t Be Afraid to Stay “On Property” at the Amusement Parks

For days at Disney or Universal, it pays to stay at the on-site hotels. Often there are perks associated with staying on property, such as early access or free entertainment tickets. Plus, you’re already there, so when you get up early in the morning, you’ll be two steps ahead of everyone else.

Florida Tip #5 Don’t Break the Bank

Prices in Florida can be really high, as it’s a very popular tourist destination. It’s very easy to spend $1000 in one day for a family of four visiting the Florida theme parks. It’s possible to find cheap flights, and there are affordable options in Florida for those willing to do some research. The beaches are free, and there are National Parks, State Parks and nature preserves in Florida. There are even cultural sights in Florida, like St. Augustine and Tarpon Springs.

Florida Tip #6 Don’t Forget the History, Nature, Architecture and Wildlife

There are so many things to do in Florida outside of the theme parks. Florida has really cool sights and destinations away from Orlando. St. Augustine is the oldest city in the U.S. Miami has incredible and interesting architecture, plus it’s a cultural melting pot with great Cuban cuisine. Fort Meyers has the Edison & Ford Estates and St. Petersburg has the Dali Museum, with the largest collection of Dali art outside of Europe. Gainesville has an excellent Natural History Museum, with dinosaurs. And although we said “don’t mess with the wildlife,” there are ways to see the wildlife safely, at national parks, aquariums and alligator parks.

Florida Tip #7 Don’t Forget Sunscreen & Hydration

Even in February, the sun in Florida is strong, and it can get hot. Everyone should bring sunscreen, but especially the pale northerners who haven’t seen sun in a few months. Many a Florida vacation has been ruined by sunburned; don’t let that happen to you. It’s also really important to stay hydrated, which requires drinking more water than beer and daiquiris. Drink lots of water, and the tap water is safe to drink.

Florida Tip #8 Don’t Use Your Mobile Phone While Driving

Talking on your mobile phone while driving is illegal in Florida, so the police can issue tickets for this. Have your co-pilot make any phone calls, or do the navigating on GPS. Florida is already expensive, don’t add an expensive ticket to your tab.

Florida Tip #9 Don’t Buy a Timeshare

Florida has a lot of timeshare buildings, and they use high pressure sales tactics to convince travelers to buy in. They offer free trips and tours to watch their presentations; don’t do it! (If you do buy into a timeshare, you have ten days to change your mind and cancel.)

Florida Tip #10 Don’t Forget the Seasons

Florida is prime hurricane territory, and the season typically runs July through November. Early fall is the most likely time to encounter hurricanes in Florida. It’s a good idea to have a Plan B for bad weather if you are visiting during hurricane season. Even in other times of the year, Florida can get rain, so it’s always good to have a backup plan. As far as high tourist season, the busiest week at Disney is the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Try to avoid that week if Disney is part of your Florida vacation itinerary. (July and August are really busy, too!)

Florida Tip #11 Don’t Mess with the Snowbirds

Snowbirds are the retirees who spend their summers up north, and come south for the winter. There are many retirement communities in Florida, and as the weather turns cold up north, they descend upon Florida. What this means for other travelers is that certain areas can be crowded in the winter and you might need to make restaurant reservations.

Florida Tip #12 Don’t Forget Reservations

Don’t forget to make reservations for your hotels, restaurants and even your Disney princesses. Disney princess meet and greets need to be reserved up to five or six months in advance, for the high season or for very popular princesses. Non-Disney Restaurants only need to be reserved a week or so in advance.

Florida Tip #13 Don’t Freak Out While Driving

Between tourists and snowbirds, traffic along I-95 or I-75 in Florida can be crazy. There are many people not familiar with the roads, some driving super slow, others zooming around, plus people who have driven 12+ hours from up north and are getting tired. It’s really important to pay attention when driving. Some drivers think they can skip the freeways and take side roads instead, but a lot of the little towns in Florida set speed traps, so be careful to avoid speeding tickets when driving the smaller roads.

Florida is a fabulous family vacation destination! The weather isgreat, and there are so many things to do. For more travel tip about Floridaand US travel, check out some of our other videos and blog posts.

• Ten Things That Will Shock You About Visiting the South
• Five Tips for Visiting Florida
• Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Orlando
• Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Disney World

The Don’ts of New York City: NYC Tips for Your First Visit

There are a few things that travelers should not do when visiting New York City. Knowing these “don’ts” ahead of time will help you enjoy your New York City vacation so much more.

NYC Tip #1: Don’t Stop in the Middle of the Sidewalk

New York City is busy and everyone is in a hurry. There’s a flow to sidewalk traffic, so don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk or block traffic in the sidewalk. If you need to stop, to take a picture, or for any reason, step off to the side out of the flow of traffic.New Yorkers have a reputation for being mean, and you’ll see why if you stop in the middle of the sidewalk.

NYC Tip #2: Don’t Miss Times Square

A lot of travel blogs and vlogs will tell you to skip Times Square because it’s super touristy. But if you’re a tourist, you should absolutely see Times Square! Between the lights and the next-level people watching, Times Square is something every New York tourist should see at least once. (Most of the Times Square restaurants are chains you have back home, so you can skip those!)

NYC Tip #3: Don’t Ask Your Local Friends to Do Tourist Stuff With You

If you’re visiting friends in New York, they’ve already been to the hot tourist spots, like Times Square, hundreds of times. Don’t drag them along with you to these places.

NYC Tip #4 Don’t Forget to Pee Before You Leave Your Hotel

The public bathrooms in New York, if you can find them, are disgusting! This goes doubly so late at night, so make sure you “take care of business” before leaving your hotel or restaurant.

NYC Tip #5 Don’t Pay for a Ferry Tour

Rather than pay a lot for a ferry tour, the Staten Island ferry is free and passes by a lot of the same sights. Anyone who visits Ellis Island or the Statue of Liberty will already be taking a ferry to these places, so paying for a separate ferry tour of New York isn’t necessary.

NYC Tip #6 Don’t Assume New Yorkers are Jerks

New Yorkers have a reputation for being jerks, but most of them are actually really cool. If you can meet some locals, they know all the great things to do, where to find the best deals, the best happy hours and can tell you the hottest new neighborhoods. People in New York are actually quite helpful, and happy to help tourists who are lost. They may not always be friendly or outgoing, and that’s where the reputation comes from, but they are helpful.

NYC Tip #7 Don’t Tell the Taxi Driver Your Destination Before Getting In

Unlike many destinations, where you want to agree on a price before hiring a taxi, that’s not the case in New York.For one thing, the taxis are metered, so there is no negotiating on price.Second, once you are in the cab, they can’t refuse you service.

NYC Tip #8 Don’t Use Uber During Rush Hour

For one thing, you’ll end up stuck in traffic anyways. With surge pricing, Uber prices skyrocket during rush hour, so it can be very expensive. It’s better to just take a taxi, or even the subway which is probably faster than sitting in traffic.

NYC Tip #9 Don’t Confuse Express Trains with the Locals

When riding the subway in New York, it can be easy to mistake an express train for a local train. The local train will stop at every stop along the line, while the express skips several stops, making a faster trip. If you’re going to take an express train, make sure it makes the stop you need.

NYC Tip #10 Don’t Just See Manhattan

There are five boroughs in New York; Manhattan is just one of those five. Brooklyn is the new place to be, especially for foodies. While the majority of tourist sights in New York are in Manhattan, the other boroughs are worth a visit.

NYC Tip #11 Don’t Freak Out at Hotel Prices

Hotels in New York are notoriously expensive, and very small. It’s just something you have to deal with if you want to visit New York. Hotel taxes add a lot on to your room rate, too. Just get used to the idea, and don’t think too much about it. Don’t let high hotel prices ruin your trip to New York. There are so many free things to do in New York, even museums, that you can save money throughout your trip to cushion the blow of your hotel expense.

NYC Tip #12 Don’t Eat from the Bad Street Vendors

The food trucks in New York are great, but the other food vendors that all sell the same food are not worth a stop. Not only is it a great way to get some stomach troubles, but there’s nothing unique about the food carts. If you need a quick bite, find a food truck, or a takeout window at a restaurant.

New York is such a fun city, and knowing these “don’ts” ahead of time will make your New York trip go smoothly!If you want more New York travel tips, check out some of our other videos and blog posts:

• Five Tips For Visiting New York City
• New York City Hotels Explained
• Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About New York
• Ten Things That Will Shock You in New York

The Don’ts of Visiting Boston

Greetings from the Boston Commons in Boston! There are so many things to do in Boston, but today we’re sharing the “don’ts” or things you should not do in Boston.

Boston Tip #1 Don’t Imitate the Boston Accent

 

Yes, the Boston accent is unique, but nobody wants to hear an impression or imitation of it from a traveler. They don’t think it’s funny, and won’t appreciate it. Boston has become such a melting pot of people from all over, that the accent isn’t even that common in Boston.

 

Boston Tip #2 Don’t Fall for Fake History

 

Don’t be tricked into expecting a historic meal at the Quincy Market or expect old-timey stores at the South Market. Quincy Market is basically a mall food court. The South Market and North Market have normal shops you’d see in the mall. The buildings may be historic, but there’s nothing unique about the vendors inside.

 

Boston Tip #3 Don’t Worry About Jaywalking

 

Jaywalking is pretty common in Boston, and the fine is negligible. You’ll see the locals do it, especially with so many one-way streets and winding roads. If you do decide to follow the locals, just be careful and still pay attention to traffic.

 

Boston Tip #4 Don’t Compare Boston to New York

 

Especially when it comes to sports teams, don’t try to make comparisons between the Yankees and the Red Sox, or the Giants and the Patriots. New York and Boston are very different cities, it’s not even possible to compare them. People in Boston don’t really like it when Boston is compared to New York.

Boston Tip #5 Don’t Bother Applying to Harvard

 

For the students, don’t bother applying to Harvard, you probably won’t get in! For tourists visiting Boston, you can get into some of the buildings on the Harvard campus. You can’t get in to any classes, but some of the historic buildings are open to the public.

 

Boston Tip #6 Don’t Visit in Winter

 

Winter in Boston can be brutal. Winter visitors to Boston can expect cold, windy weather with lots of snow. The rest of the year in Boston is awesome.

 

Boston Tip #7 Don’t Forget to See More Than Historic Boston

 

Don’t just to the Freedom Trail. There’s a lot more to see in Boston beyond the Freedom Trail. Other things to do in Boston include the Back Bay, a baseball game at Fenway Stadium, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

 

Boston Tip #8 Don’t Be Afraid to Explore the Local Culinary Treats of Boston

 

Don’t eat at places you’ve heard of before. Go explore the many restaurants in Boston. The seafood is amazing. Everyone will claim to have the best clam chowder, but the only way to know is to try them all. There are so many great restaurants, and bars, in Boston. You can eat at the chain restaurants when you get back home.

Now that you know what not to do in Boston, check out some of our other travel videos about traveling in the United States.

 

• Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Boston
• Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About New England
• Ten Things That Will Shock You About America