While legal Dominican cigars and almost any "smoking product" are coming under more and more restrictions in public areas...fines apply!
Okay a few suggestions...bundle up in NYC and DC...it is winter! Gloves and beanie will be in order as will layers of clothing and good warm shoes.
Not for debate but for informaiton...Tipping/gratuity is expected for services (get lots of $1 bills) most anything (help with bags, getting a taxi) a tip is expected. A buck a bag is the standard and a couple of bucks for help getting a cab would be the norm. Rule of thumb minimum 10% tip at meals (before tax) is the service is below average...15% is average...20% great service. If soemthing is not to your liking tell teh server they will fix it.
New York - Broadway play - "Wicked" has gotten good reviews...See Times Square, Attend an Ice Hockey game at Madison Square Garden if you can. Visit Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Station and Rockefeller Center
http://www.rockefellercenter.com/ While you are in New York you also must have a slice of Pizza...it is the real deal! If time allows walk inside Grand Central Terminal...the ceiling is worth a peek and in the afternoons they do a laser show during the holidays.
In DC see the Smithsonian and visit all of the memorials (Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, Viet Nam, Korea and WWII)...take a stroll around the White House grounds and the Captial Building.
Once you get to Florida...check out NASA (lots to see and do) and hold as many of your of your shopping needs as you can until then...Orlando is the land of the "Outlet Mall"...If you have time, St. Augstine is also neat to see (although a bit of a drive from where you headed)...if you are interested in motor sports, don't miss Daytona (and the Daytona Experience).
Don't waste time at the beaches...Aussie Beaches are better!
Survive the drive across the pan handle and eat/drink in New Orleans...eat BBBQ every chance you get...Shoneys is a chain - cheap food average quality but they have all you can eat buffets (breakfast is not bad). At some point eat at a Cracker Barrell...you will see comfort food of the south there.
Be Safe...you've got a lot of driving ahead of you...get across Texas as fast as you can...Side track to Grand Canyon and see Las Vegas if you can...I really like the deserts around Phoenix...If you like architecture check out
http://www.franklloydwright.org/fllw...1104/Home.html and Taleisian (spelling)...
In California stop in to see Joshua Tree National Park...and lastly call in to OPT
http://www.optcorp.com/contact.aspx for Astro gear before you head home.
Safe Travels!
I'll be bundling up.
