Hey,
a friend has offered to pay for my flight from Sydney Australia to the USA. I'm thinking of going but just wondering if i should wait til i'm 21. I'm currently 19 and will be 20 when we head over.
I realise the legal age over therefor going out to pubs and clubs is 21. are they pretty strict with this? do they rigorously check i.d?

also, would you recommend doing a tour or just travelling round on our own. i have a few friends across the country but wanna make sure that we dont miss anything that we could have done or seen had we booked a tour.

any tips or info regarding travelling in the US would be appreciated.

cheers

 

The drinking age is 21, but most clubs will let you in at 18 here in North Carolina. I'm pretty sure its probably like that elsewhere. They are usually pretty strict when it comes to checking id's. I think you'd be wasting money booking a tour. On your own, you could do anything you wanted. You wouldn't be limited to the tour's idea of what you want to see. To not miss out on anything, I'd suggest you ask for reccomendations on what to see and do from people who live in the area you'll be travelling in. BTW, what part of America are you going to be visiting?

 

If you are really keen on drinking while you are over here I would suggest waiting until you are 21 even though some clubs will let you in most will not and no "bars" will.

As for tours that would totally be based on where you are planning to go. In some cities it would be a great idea but if you are planning on doing a cross country drive then just plan your route and drive from key point to key point. In the larger cities go on a guided tour i.e. newyork, chicago, new orleans any city that has alot of history.

 

Regarding safety, it's important to remember that every American (man, woman, child) is armed with the latest, most powerful firearms. If you spend anytime in a major city you will witness at least one deadly shooting daily. The excessive fat that American carry serves to protect them from all but the highest caliber cartridges. However, since you

 

Come here to South Beach I can get you in anywhere!!

 

Since you're from Australia, I'd just bring a fake because I don't think most bouncers would even know what an Australian driver's license looks like.

 

cheers for your help

the last post was gold haha just bring a fake. perfect! hopefully.

we can go to bars here from age 18 so it will suck not being able to head out.

in reply to a question asked, I am travelling all over. i have friends in san diego, alabama, arizona, virginia and chicago.

i think the combination of tour and free travel will be the best option.

ElTianti, thanks for your help, you seem to have a positive outlook on the states, and ranco, i might have to call by south beach. my mate wants to go there anyway.

any tips keep em coming. thanks again for your contributions

Jessica

 

Not trying to sound sexist or anything, but if you are hot you will have no trouble getting into bars/clubs or drinking.

 

nice.. shouldn't have a problem then

 

Hi Jessica! Come visit me! I'll give you drinks.

But seriously, most places are very keen on checking ID. This is the U.S., not Europe. But I don't think you have to drink to have fun. Traveling is ALWAYS fun, regardless of drinking or not.

Come visit me! My address is: xxxxx ...uh, nevermind!