So I'm going on a little America trip this summer, but I'm a bit green when it comes to how to get the best deal. LOL. 😂 Also... what MUST I do? Or what MUST I eat?

My plan was: To make NYC my point of connection to Europe. So Norway - NYC and NYC - Norway (I'd say threeish weeks until retun). Then I can travel within US between those dates.

My start is NYC and my goal destination is LA where I plan to stay a week or so.

In between I wanted to take a train to Washington DC and see stuff... like Big Abe. And there is a spanking party in Dallas (TASSP) that I might go to before I go to LA.

My problem number 1: Where the fudge do you stay in NYC without it bleeding you dry? A lot of these places look shabby and they are still expensive! I don't need to stay right in the middle, but I'd like to be able to get around easily.

I need it to be SAFE, affordable, and somewhere I can easily get around. I don't want to go for a cheaper option and then find it is a rough neighbourhood and there are roaches everywhere.


Other than that my problem is: I have no idea what I should do.
I want to see the Statue of Liberty (from afar is good enough), Time Square, Central Park, hmm... maybe go into a big building? I dunno... I'm scared.

In DC I need to see the capitol building, and I'm sure there are museums and stuff.

Any trip advice you can give me.