Accommodation: Auberge NOLA hostel.

YOU MUST STAY HERE. I have told friends before and you can only understand how amazing it is when you stay there. The staff are so lovely and you feel at home rather than in a hostel. Everyone is so much fun and the staff will book anything you want and help you out in anyway they can. Plus their little dog is so adorable.

Things to do:

Pat O’Briens: I don’t even have any words for ‘Patty O’s’ this is where the trouble began. They are famous for their hurricanes and I can see why. It is $8 for a massive cocktail with 3 different kinds of rum, it will get you FUUURRKKKEDDD URRRPP seriously. There are heaps of cocktails to try and they are so cheap. I got so drunk that I tipped a hot waitress $20 because she was hot, granted she was hot so yeah…

Bourbon Street: Surely reason #1 everyone goes to NOLA. This street is just THAT much fun. During the day you can explore the really cool parts of the city and make sure you head into a voodoo shop because they are really cool and you can buy heaps of stuff that everyone will be so jealous of when you get home (the one I went to was opposite Pat O’Briens so that was helpful to find it whilst sober (which isn’t ever for long in this place). Bourbon street will also lead you up to the big quadrant area which has heaps of entertainment. I just cant even describe how amazing this magical place is. At night is when all the trouble starts, after Patty O’s you somehow make your way through Bourbon Street, it is honestly like a completely different place at night. There are so many cool places open and especially on Halloween eve as it is considered an event and everyone watches the parade and then gets blind. There isn’t much more I can say about this part of it because I honestly remember next to nothing. All I can suggest is that you don’t accidentally touch a random girls ‘weave’ in a cab that you are somehow sharing with them because she will try to fight you haha.

Blind Pelican: if you stay at the Auberge then this is an easy place for pre Pat O’brien drinks. They have the famous (everything is world famous in America) Jell-O-shots. They are made with Everclear which is more potent than absinthe. I was drunk of 3 seriously. They also do amazing southern food which is great for dinner and for the hangover after a festival before you get on a plane

Cemetary/city tours: I enjoyed learning about the history of New Orleans but warning: if you are hung over this can be difficult. There is a lot of walking and I’m guessing the experience all depends on the tour guide. They take you to the Lafayette cemetery 1 which is really cool.

Mothers: the most famous restaurant in NOLA. You walk in and honesty you will be like dafuq is dis shit but when you eat the food you will see why its famous. Its old fashion ‘what your mama would cook’ New Orleans southern food. Would definitely check it out.

Accommodation

Green Tortoise Hostel on Broadway

We stayed in a private room as we had just arrived and needed the rest. The bed was super comfy and cleaned everyday. The staff were really lovely and if you stay in a private room you don’t have to pay for towels etc. the hostel was on broadway which isn’t near fisherman’s wharf or the golden gate bridge but it is right near the Italian district and the restaurants are amazing. It is a quick walk to the pier but quite a long walk to Fishermans Wharf. It is however a really nice walk and there is lots to see on the way.

Things To Do

Alcatraz: this was such an awesome experience, especially if you love history. Make sure that you get there 30 mins before your booked departure time as they leave right on the time. ALSO make sure you book because it is crazy popular. When you are there, PLEASE follow the tour guide. I know it may sound lame but you will learn so much and they really know their stuff.

Golden Gate Bridge: If I only had 1 day in SF this is what I would do! Hire out a bike and ride it, it was one of my favourite days and so much fun to ride a bike (for the first time in almost 10 years). You can hire one towards the end of Fisherman’s wharf and ride from there. WARNING it is tiring and there are sooooo many hills but it really is so worth it. Riding over the bridge is an incredible experience and absolutely surreal… like you are on the Golden gate bridge WHAT!? One of the best parts of this is when you get to the other side of the bridge and enter Sausalito, one of the prettiest places I have seen. It is very European looking and it is just beautiful. By this time you are sweaty and tired so it’s up to you whether or not you want to get a bite to eat or just get on the ferry and go home. Another warning: the line to get back on the ferry back to the other side is veryyyy longggggg. You can always ride back but I guarantee that you would rather die than do it all again (even thought it was amazing, one way is enough).

Fisherman’s Wharf: This is obviously a must but is something you can do on your way to getting the bikes. We went inside the aquarium and we had such a fun time. Jake and I both love animals and it was just so much more enjoyable than we expected it to be. We also went to Ripley’s believe it or not which was alright but we just did it cause it was day 2 of the trip and we were down for whatever haha. There is heaps to see at FW and also lots of seafood restaurants YUMMM.

Accommodation: Rosen Inn Closest to Universal

This is just a simple hotel that is good if you are just in sOlando for Universal, which we were. We took the complimentary bus to universal but it took so long we should have just walked.

Things to do:

Universal studios: well derrrrr. Obviously go here because Harry Potter world is the best! I was like a kid in a candy store when I walked through Diagon alley. It is so much fun and just amazing, make sure you get a butterbeer because it will blow your freaking mind it is so delicious. The whole of universal is heaps of fun and you can easily get both parks done in a day.

Outlet shopping: Orlando have some of the best outlet shopping that I have done so make sure you head to the outlets for some good deals.

Accommodation: Miami Beach International Travellers Hostel

This place is the party central for travellers in Miami. They organise club nights and feed you three times a day but warning: there is no Wi-Fi in the rooms and if you are there to relax don’t stay here.

Things to do:

Clubs: the hostel took us to a club and that was cool. We had heaps of fun but don’t get the bottle service because they give you a shit bottle of vodka BUT the VIP area is pretty cool, it’s expensive so up to you! A lot of clubs in Miami are dressy so guys need collar shirts and girls need heels, so be prepared for that.

Everglades: This was a really cool experience as it was the most redneck thing we got to see/do in the states. You get to see the alligators and even hold a little baby gator, which was so good. Its not that expensive and you can book this through the hostel.