Watch weather conditions as us Aussies aren't used to driving in sleet and snow. Weather conditions can turn quickly when you start heading to snow country.
Keep in mind that in the U.S. the bigger the hype, the lamer the product.
The kids might want to eat at Macca's but try to eat in as many independently owned family diners as possible for some great meals.
Drink bottomless cups of coffee with pecan pie as often as you can.
If you like Mexican, the best ones are when you go to order, they have to get the young son/daughter from out the back to translate for them.
The Campo's chain of Mexican cantina's around L.A. do good cheap fast Mexican food.
If beggars approach you hit them up for some change before they do. Might sound miserly but about the time you get hit up for the 10th time in one day you'll be onto it. Especially when you see them sitting in the bar an hour later drinking mixed spirits.
Watch your money, my missus had a checkout woman hand her her bags and wish her a good day. My missus had to remind her for her change from a $100 bill. The red faced woman had to pull the bill out from under the till and ring it up. Another time she went to a Notary public (Their version of a JP) and they did their best to seperrate her from her handbag. Another time my mate left a tip on the bar and a bloke came up to the bar and went to pay for his beer with it. I went to pull him up but I wasn't 100% sure and he turned the situation around to make it look like I was trying to scoop it up.
We're not used to that kind of stuff here so you tend to be off gaurd. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen and usually from people and places you wouldn't expect it from. Don't by anything from anyone on the street.
When driving through western states, pull into one of those big western outfitters and outfit the whole family in cowboy gear.
If you see a Farm King store, go into it.
If you get to Boulder, check out McGuckin hardware
https://store.mcguckin.com/inet/home.htmlDon't take any wooden nickles.
The U.S. is a great place with amazing countryside and lovelly people who are generally warm and friendly.
Try to travel some of the back roads rather than the freeways.
Do every national park or scenic drive. Much better than theme parks.
Buy yourself a pair of Redwing boots.
Go to Wallmart and buy an air pistol. Have fun with the kids shooting tin cans every night and then throw it away when you leave.
When you see those yellow buildings with 'fireworks' written all over them. Stop, buy heaps, just make sure you let them off before you get to the next state. Not like we did and had to hide from the cops in our motel room with the lights off.
