Coast to Coast - LA to NYC

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Los Angeles, California to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Our epic Topdeck Coast to Coast journey begins today in the ‘City of Angels’, Los Angeles. We depart the urban sprawl and head on down (literally) to Death Valley National Park, the lowest point in North America and one of the hottest places in the world. There are opportunities for some short walks to take in the amazing desert landscapes, salt flats and nearby mountain ranges. Even though this place seems dry and lifeless, you might just catch a glimpse of a pupfish in the spring or a roadrunner dashing in the distance – but we can’t guarantee that Wyle E Coyote will be in hot pursuit! From here it’s all guns blazing towards ‘Sin City’, Las Vegas! There’s time to cool off by the hotel pool before diving head first into the night life of the Las Vegas Strip. We can kick start our Vegas party experience with an included Party Bus tour of the strip – it’s like a private nightclub on wheels! Afterwards the night is ours for the taking – why not take in one of the world famous Las Vegas shows or visit one of the legendary casinos for a flutter. We then have a full day to make sure we get the complete Vegas experience. It’s impossible to run out of things to do here - world class shopping, helicopter rides, art museums, incredible buffets, indoor shooting ranges and more await us. Viva Las Vegas! (D)

 

Days 3-4 Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, Arizona.

There’s a famous Chuck Berry song in which he implores those listening to “get your kicks on Route 66”, and today we’ll darn sure try our best! We follow this historic highway as we head to the Grand Canyon, an outstanding natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s time to enjoy impressive views of the enormous gorge by walking between the many viewpoints along the canyon rim. Then we can cap our arrival day off with what we like to call a ‘Totally Topdeck’ experience – by taking in an unforgettable golden sunset over the Grand Canyon itself. We spend a full free day here to enjoy over 2 billion years of colourful geological history. We can learn more about the geology, animal life, Native American history and exploration of the Canyon by joining a Ranger talk or visiting a museum, and it’s also possible to hike some of the amazing terrain. During our stay we also have the chance to take an optional helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. This once-in-a-lifetime chance to savour bird's eye views of such an iconic location is sure to be a highlight of your Topdeck North American trip. (L) (B,D)

Day 5 Grand Canyon to Monument Valley, Utah.

Our destination today is Monument Valley, part of the Navajo Nation, a semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory. First we'll visit Cameron Native American Trading Post where you can buy Native American jewellery and art, before moving on to Monument Valley itself. It is home to a unique culture and stunning natural beauty - a series of impressive sandstone buttes dot the landscape, the largest towering almost 300m tall. It will probably seem familiar, having been featured in numerous Westerns and other films such as Mission Impossible II, Back to the Future III, Thelma & Louise and even the Doctor Who TV series!  While here we have an amazing included Navajo guided jeep tour of the Valley.  You'll get an up-close look at the buttes and some other special places shown to us by our Navajo guide. (B)

 

Day 6 Monument Valley to Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

We’re on our way to Santa Fe! The state capital of New Mexico is the heart of Southwest culture, art and architecture. Originally a Native American settlement, it became one of the earliest European settlements in the United States and has long been a cultural melting pot. The main attraction is the central plaza, where we can see the influence of Native American, Spanish, colonial Mexican and American cultures. A lot of Southwest and Native American art can be found on the plaza and in the museums. (B)

Day 7 Santa Fe to Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico.

Our amazing road trip continues on to Carlsbad Caverns, one of the largest and most dramatic cavern systems in the world.  The caves can be explored on a self-guided trail which reveals a magical world of stalactites and curious limestone formations. The caves are also home to a huge population of bats, and in season up to 750,000 of them emerge from the cave at sunset en masse, one of the most incredible sights in the natural world. We can watch the show from an amphitheatre at the cave entrance, preceded by a Ranger talk. Please note that the Ranger talk is weather dependent and the bats are only expected to emerge between late May and mid-October. (B,D)

 

Day 8 Carlsbad Caverns to San Antonio, Texas.

Today we move on to the Lone Star State, Texas. The old saying goes that “everything is bigger in Texas” – well let’s hope that includes your appetite as our destination, San Antonio, claims to the birthplace of chilli! The city is also home to the Riverwalk, a development of the urban river section of the San Antonio River. It’s a lively nightspot with restaurants, shops, bars and Hispanic music, and a great place to spend our evening. (L)

 

Days 9-10 San Antonio to Austin, Texas.

Before we depart San Antonio we’ll visit one of North America’s most popular historical tourist attractions, the Alamo Mission. The Battle of the Alamo in 1836 was a pivotal event in Texas history. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under Santa Ana launched an assault on the Alamo Mission. All but two of the Texan defenders were killed, and buoyed by a desire for revenge, the Texans defeated the Mexican Army later the same year ending the Texas Revolution. We then move on to Austin for two nights, a city known as the “Live Music Capital of the World”. Austin is a liberal, quirky ‘island’ in what is otherwise perceived to be a conservative Texas. Known for its music festivals and nightlife, Austin is considered one of America's greenest and most desirable cities to live in. It even has a movement called “Keep Austin Weird” which is an attempt by locals to keep the city from becoming overly developed and commercial. You’ll have plenty of time to explore with a full free day and in the summer months there may be chance to go tubing on the San Marcos River. (B,D) (B)

 

Day 11 Austin to Lafayette, Louisiana. 

We continue to Lafayette in Louisiana, which is the centre of French-speaking Cajun culture in America. Cajuns are 18th century exiles from French Canada who have a strong and unique tradition of language, music and cuisine. Lafayette also has a strong Creole culture which comes from a mix of different African and European nationalities, mostly French and Spanish. Tonight we will be able to experience the unique and delicious Cajun cuisine for ourselves with an included dinner. (B,D)

Days 12-13 Lafayette to New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Our next two night stop is a special one - New Orleans, ‘The Big Easy’, home of the French Quarter, Dixieland Jazz, and the world famous Mardi Gras (Carnival). This relaxed city has some of the best nightlife, restaurants, cafes, antique shops and good ol’ Southern hospitality it’s possible to find anywhere in the US. We have a full free day to explore New Orleans, during which we can take an optional Swamp Tour to a ‘bayou’ outside the city to catch a glimpse of alligators and birdlife. Back in town we can try some of the legendary local cuisine which is dominated by seafood - we have plenty of time to sample fried oysters, crawfish, shrimp jambalaya and other delicious specialities. And did we mention the nightlife?! (B)
 

Days 14-15 New Orleans to Memphis, Tennessee.

You might want to slip on your Blue Suede Shoes this morning because today we’re off to Memphis, home of the Delta Blues and a certain Elvis Presley! It’s a fairly long drive but this evening famous Beale St. beckons, a lively centre of nightlife and great blues music. The next day we get to see the best that Memphis has to offer. We even have an included visit to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley – yet another amazing ‘Totally Topdeck’ experience. In the mansion you’ll see where Elvis and his family lived, relaxed and spent time with friends, while there is also a 14 acre estate complete with Trophy Hall, racquetball court and meditation garden. During our stay here in Memphis why not also visit Sun Studios where many of the earliest Rock ‘n’ Roll hits were recorded. You’ll be a regular Hound Dog by the time we leave! (D) (B)

 

Day 16 Memphis to Nashville, Tennessee.

From one musical city to another - no visit to Tennessee would be complete without a stop in Nashville, known as ‘Music City’ and the home of Country music. Here we can take an optional visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and later in the evening it’s a treat to visit one of Nashville's famous Honky Tonk bars to see some country music played live. (B,D)

 

Day 17 Nashville to Appalachian Mountains, Virginia.

Today we can look forward to the scenic Appalachian Mountains as we head in to Virginia. The Appalachians were once the size of the Alps and Rockies before they were eroded by time, and in season we may have the chance to try out some optional white-water rafting here – adrenalin-fuelled and exhilarating! (B)

Days 18-19 Appalachian Mountains to Washington, District of Columbia.

We continue on and drive through picturesque Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains en route to the nation’s capital, Washington DC, where we spend two nights. On the first evening we enjoy an included night time guided tour of the illuminated Washington monuments. We then have a full day in ‘DC’ (as it’s referred to locally) to see the sights. The majority of the city’s most famous monuments are centred on the National Mall, home to the US Capitol Building, Reflecting Pool and several War Memorials. Most structures here have strong links to America’s past – for instance the towering Washington Monument and the austere Lincoln Memorial were constructed in honour of two of the most famous US Presidents; George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The area is also home to several world famous museums such as the Natural History Museum, Art and Science Museum and the Holocaust Museum, and we have the option to visit these to soak up some culture and knowledge. Later in the evening we can check out the Georgetown area, full of fantastic restaurants and also considered the best place for nightlife. (B,D)

 

Day 20 Washington DC to New York City, New York.

The final day of our amazing Topdeck North American adventure begins with a drive to Philadelphia. ‘Philly’ was once the capital of the US and centre of colonial history, and we have time to check out popular attractions such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Philadelphia is famous for being the home of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky, and for the incredibly popular local food, delicious Philly Cheesesteak – why not try one while we’re here! We then continue on to New York City where this afternoon our North American odyssey will sadly come to an end. You may have time to see some of the famous attractions of NYC after we arrive, but if you’d like to book some post-trip accommodation through Topdeck you’ll be able to take a bigger bite of the Big Apple! Sights including Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and the Rockefeller Centre are waiting to be explored. Say goodbye to Topdeck Crew and traveling companions in the ‘city that never sleeps’, and enjoy the lifelong memories made on your epic Topdeck Coast to Coast trip.