Any ideas about how we can plan a visit to the United States?

Florida's east coast beaches are better than the west coast ones, oil or not.

I don't think they (the east coast beaches) can hold a candle to Caladesi Island, or Ft Desoto Park!  I <3 <3 <3 the Gulf beaches.  

But yeah, the south will be hot pretty much anywhere in August, but if you like heat then hey - go for it!

For that time of year, I'd head for the mountains - like the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, Wyoming, or northern New Mexico.  Or the Appalachians maybe.  If you want to do a road trip, you could drive the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive - along the Appalachians.  DH and I did that last year!  Lots of stops along the way, cool places to see (including bears!) & things to do.  Won't be as cool (in temps) as the higher Rockies, but the bears (and deer & wild turkeys) make up for it!  

Well, being from the Northwest, I'm of course going to champion the Northwest for this thread. I would suggest going up the coast from California (San Fran), and going through Oregon and Washington, and even up to Vancouver BC. The weather is perfect in August, and there are a lot of gorgeous places to visit (Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier). Loads of greenery and outdoorsy things that are kid friendly.

I've done several road trips across the US, and find that I have the best time when I make practically no plans. I know you have children, so that might be a bit more difficult. But for the most part, I find its easy to get rooms in hotels last minute. This leaves options open for staying in one place for a couple of days if you like it, or just moving on.

I wouldn't try to cover TOO much ground in just two weeks, just enjoy the places that you are exploring.

If you're used to cool-ish British beaches, then Maine and New England might be a good bet. August can be pretty beastly (not to mention potential hurricanes!) but if you stick to the coast it's pretty bearable.  But, alas, not leaf-lookin' time in August.

I'll second BostonDiner on that one.  August is pretty brutal in NE (although not nearly as bad as the South can get).  If you stay around the coast or even the mountains, you should be fine. 

For the coast, York Beach in Maine is very nice, then you could travel down to Portsmouth, NH, down to Boston.  Also, Providence and Newport, Rhode Island are great places to go (especially Newport...nice coastal town).

As for the mountains, Burlington, Vermont (mainly a college town, but it's a nice visit)...then head down to the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts (never been, but a friend from Norwich, Norfolk visited and loved it), perhaps from there down to Connecticut and over to Rhode Island.

There's a lot you can see in the New England region within two weeks...heck, it only takes 4.5 hours to get from Boston to Montreal, Canada (just to give you some indication)...and Boston to York Beach in Maine is only about 2 hours (give or take).

heck, it only takes 4.5 hours to get from Boston to Montreal, Canada (just to give you some indication)...

It took me closer to 7 hours when I did it!

It took me closer to 7 hours when I did it!

Really?  It only took about 5 hours for my husband and I to do it last year.  How did you go?  We went through Vermont (passing Burlington, VT) via I-89.

Really?  It only took about 5 hours for my husband and I to do it last year.  How did you go?  We went through Vermont (passing Burlington, VT) via I-89.

I don't remember - it was a very long time ago! But I do recall that it was a pretty long journey!

It has already been as if I have drove from coast to coast! But it seems more likely that I will have to go from England to New England at the end! and perhaps try Maine, Vermont and Newhampshire with stops at little coast towns some of which will have nice beaches.  I learnt that I should avoid the southern states (even though I would love to follow the trails or Rhett Butler!). What about Los Vegas, Grand canion and LA? I gathered that I could drive up from SF to Vancouver and as rightly mentioned try to have no plans and enjoy the unexpectedness (I loved that advice).  US is an amazing part of the world and I would need to return for more visits. 

LA, Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas would all be brilliant as well (I also lived in Las Vegas for several years and loved the south west). Driving through Arizona and New Mexico as well are great, and just following that part of Route 66 in general.

However, it is HOTTER than the blazes of hell in that area during August. Granted, it is a dry heat. 115 degrees in the desert is easier to deal with than a humid 90 degrees (or at least I thought so). Driving, however, it just gets so hot. Its hot to be in the car, AND your car itself with be having to deal with driving through the heat.

I would save that area for a springtime drive, it is a must though...

What about Los Vegas, Grand canion and LA? I gathered that I could drive up from SF to Vancouver 

These are all on the western side of the US and Canada.  As mentioned before, if your 2 week trip is going to start on the East Coast, you will  be spending the entire 2 weeks just driving there and back from these places with little time to explore anything.  Best to stick with the East Coast suggestions.

I don't remember - it was a very long time ago! But I do recall that it was a pretty long journey!

Yeah, 5 hours sounds like you'd have to be going non-stop at top speed!  It seemed a lot longer than that whenever I've done it.

Now then! What about Yellow Stone!? I saw a documentary last year on BBC. It was a fascinating place.  I thought I must see this place! Have you ever been? Is it possible to travel with small children there? where to stay? how many days?
Looking forward to hear from you all.
Bear

Now then! What about Yellow Stone!? I saw a documentary last year on BBC. It was a fascinating place.  I thought I must see this place! Have you ever been? Is it possible to travel with small children there? where to stay? how many days?
Looking forward to hear from you all.
Bear

a friend of mine just got back from yellowstone .......... she absolutely loved it ........so much so shes going back before the end of the year ...... i think everyone has some wonderful suggestions on where to visit ......... i was thinking that if youre like my husband when he comes here he just wants some sunshine and warmth ....... all areas of the united states have much to offer ......... my suggestion is that no matter what area you decide upon maybe keep it simple ...........only do a area of about 4 states that way you can enjoy to the fullest extent ........Charleston is a wonderful place with much to offer-history, beach, good food, parks full of flowers etc, myrtle beach is a short drive away, and the mountains of western north carolina are only 4 hrs away.....you could have beach and mountains all in the same trip........if you did decide on that area i am more than happy to suggest tons of places to go as i live in both......but as i said no matter where you go theres plenty to do.......best of luck in your adventure

I'm a Texan, and you definitely don't want to be in Texas in August!  I know the hot weather sounds great in theory, but trust me, you won't feel like doing anything outdoors whatsoever. I'd vote for New England, the Pacific Northwest (Northern California, Oregon or Washington), or Colorado. I'd avoid anywhere in the south like my life depended on it. 

If you like the city, Chicago would be fun. Montana and North Dakota, etc., would probably be gorgeous this time of year. I hear the countryside in Missouri is gorgeous in the summer, as well. I think you will just have to do some research on some different areas and see what you would like to do. I'd recommend keeping things simple, like staying in one place for several days, then driving to another place a few hours away and staying there for a few days, and so on. The distances get really far, and the kids are likely to get bored in the car if you spend 2 days driving.

I think Yellowstone sounds great (or Yosemite National Park might be good). You could do Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon and LA if you wanted to, but temps in Las Vegas are going to be over 40C in August, most likely, so keep that in mind!

....only do a area of about 4 states that way you can enjoy to the fullest extent......

That depends on the states - 4 of those little states along the East Coast, like encompassing the Carolinas & around what you said, or around New England, sure thing!

But the western states are ENORMOUS!  

I always wanted to go to Yellowstone, but haven't been yet.  One of my brothers keeps telling me that Steve & I need to go for a lonnnnng, extended vacation someday & rent an RV, and just go all around the West - Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico & then further west from there.  Apparently, it's not unusual for people from other countries to do just that - they've met quite a few of them in their travels through those areas.

Regarding the heat - when I was a little girl growing up in Kansas, my family always did camping vacations in the upper elevations of the Colorado mountains, in August, to escape the heat.