World-class Destinations in America?

[AFC-911]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

it's Massachusetts that I love more than Boston, probably best state in the country.

Alaska, Hawai'i, Washington, etc....It's not even close.

And for those who would rather be in Arkansas than NYC, I don't know what you guys see in Arkansas, but it's not on my travel list.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Lol!

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by Paco Anton

- NYC
- DC
- Niagara falls
- Boston - Cape Cod
- Philadelphia - Pensilvania - Amish country
- Miami - Keys - Key West
- [Orlando - Disney]
- [Cape Canaveral]
- LA - Hollywood - Malibu
- San Francisco
- Yosemite
- Death Valley
- Las Vegas
- Grand Canyon

Other places on my to-do list:

- Monument Valley
- Yellowstone
- New Orleans
- Skiing in Aspen/Vail
- ...

That list is a good start—though I have put Orlando and cape Canaveral in brackets!

Also:

-Savannah/Charleston
-New England in the fall/Martha's Vineyard
-Route 66 on a rented Harley
-The tour through the Bible Belt in an old convertible with a trunk full of tequila.
-Seattle/San Juan Islands, Olympic Peninsula/Oregon coast
-The reefer coast: Eureka/Mendocino/Bodega Bay
-The central coast: Santa Cruz/Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur/Santa Barbara
-The south coast: Carlsbad to San Diego
-Taos/Santa Fe/ Window Rock and Injun country
-Chicago
-Blues tour of rural Mississippi
-Grand Tetons

America is incredibly rich and diverse as a tourist destination. It's like India in this respect, and it's hard to know where to start.

Still, I have European friends—intrepid travelers—who know outer Mongolia and Borneo and Chad and every godforsaken place on earth but have never been to the US because they "know" it from films and it's "all the same".

I tell them they're insane!

[AFC-911]

Originally Posted by Dottore

America is incredibly rich and diverse as a tourist destination. It's like India in this respect, and it's hard to know where to start.

Still, I have European friends—intrepid travelers—who know outer Mongolia and Borneo and Chad and every godforsaken place on earth but have never been to the US because they "know" it from films and it's "all the same".

I tell them they're insane!

As far as cities go, most US cities feel the same to me (with the exception of NYC, San Fran, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Seattle, Juneau [and other AK cities] and Miami).

I find it less exciting when I visit a new US city compared to a foreign destination. Heck, Chicago felt a lot like NY only less exciting.

The natural landscapes are truly unique, however.

[Rich76_911s]

Wow can't believe Philadelphia, if even for Amish country, made a foreigners list.

Not for foreigners so much, but I do think most American's should have Independance Hall on their bucket list. There is just something about being in the room where the Constitution was debated, constructed, and eventually signed that is extremely powerful.

There are 1000's of world class places, but only a few that have the full aspects of what makes something particularly "world class."

Aspen is a great example of a destination in America that is "world class." It is probably not the best skiing in the country, but it has all the other pieces that make it the complete package, no other ski area in the US has all those attributes.

Mountain biking in Moab, UT is as world class as you can get, but the town of Moab offers nothing that would be considered world class.

Paco, if come to ski in Colorado, try to ski Telluride and Silverton Mountain as well as Aspen instead of Vail. Harded to get to, but worth the work. Vail is relatively flat and over-crowded.

[Paco Anton]

Originally Posted by Rich76_911s

Wow can't believe Philadelphia, if even for Amish country, made a foreigners list.

In fact I've been to Philly twice. Both times I climbed the art museum steps singing the Rocky theme and ending up jumping with my arms in the air. I call that a world class destination!!!!

When I was leaving I saw that the New Jersey Battleship is moored just across the river, so I need to go back at least once.

[Tim Hancock]

It has been awhile since I have been to NYC.... It smelled like garbage/urine. There is nothing there that I would care to waste my vacation time doing again. Last time I was in Chicago, my car got broken in to.

I simply do not understand what some people like about urban jungles. I will take a sandy beach, the mountains or the pond in my backyard any day over skyscrapers and a maze of crowded city streets.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Dottore

-The reefer coast: Eureka/Mendocino/Bodega Bay
-The central coast: Santa Cruz/Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur/Santa Barbara

I've spent many wonderful days and nights in Bolinas.

I would also add much of the Southwest: Canyon de Chelly, Chaco Canyon, etc.

Rivers. Too many to list.

Also, some of the migratory bird routes...I dated a young lady who was a whatever people who track birds call themselves. During the migration season, we spent a week along the Arizona/Mexican border near Sierra Vista which is the bird equivalent of I-95 according to the people who love birds.

It was actually pretty neat.

The place was lousy with European bird people

Edit: Can't forget golf courses...if you are into golf America is a magnate.

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

It has been awhile since I have been to NYC.... It smelled like garbage/urine. There is nothing there that I would care to waste my vacation time doing again. Last time I was in Chicago, my car got broken in to.

I simply do not understand what some people like about urban jungles. I will take a sandy beach, the mountains or the pond in my backyard any day over skyscrapers and a maze of crowded city streets.

NYC you either love it or hate it. I moved from NYC 22 yrs ago. I'm 45 mins away at the Jersey Shore. I still work there and most of my family is still there. The happiest day of my life will be when i never have to go there again. Sure there are some interesting things there, but too me it is no different then any other big city . Its crowded, people suck, it is overpriced, overrated..

[dennis in se pa]

All large cities are home to much evil. The larger the more evil. That many people crowded into such a small space is just not a healthy natural situation for humans.

I suggest outdoor places. Uncrowded places. Packing us into crowds is exactly how the "1 %" manipulate us. Think about it.

Finger lakes region of NY is good.

The Grand Canyon

Strasburg Steam Railroad in Pennsylvania is outstanding

Any small town or borough when they are having a social event.

[VINMAN]

[QUOTE=dennis in se pa;6306948]
Strasburg Steam Railroad in Pennsylvania is outstanding
QUOTE]

Love it!

[Garp]

Another European view here:
Cities:
New Orleans, went there prior to Katrina. Very enjoyable.
Seattle in summer is great.
San Diego, could easily live there. in fact it's the city/area which is often mentioned when I talk with colleagues about really nice places in the US.
San Francisco, at least some areas.
Some have mentioned Las Vegas, got married there, went back last year and I couldn't get out of there fast enough.
Landscapes:
Grand Canyon, been there twice, once empty, once very crowded, always enjoyable even with a distinct fear of heights.
Bryce and Zion, been a while but have very found memories.
The larger Sedona area, did some hiking there, very sweet.
Olympic Peninsula and the Puget Sound, love the area, the many historic forts and the splendid vista's.
Joshua Tree, had to see this, wasn't disappointed.
Kings Canyon, incredible impression.
The Natchez area, the plantations have a very special atmosphere, mint tea with bourbon. Oh yeah.

All of the above qualify as world class, I'd cross the ocean again to go there and I would recommend it to friends.

[scottmandue]

Fresno California... either you get it or you don't

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Fresno California... either you get it or you don't

I still say Burns...
Burns, Oregon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[72doug2,2S]

Chesapeake Bay crabs is a food destination whether in Baltimore, Annapolis, Ocean City MD, Smith/Tangier Islands or the eastern shore.

Apart from the coastal Maine lobster shacks, there's nothing like a steaming mountain of Chesapeake Bay blue crabs seasoned with Old Bay.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

I still say Burns...
Burns, Oregon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frenchglen is better than Burns.

[Burnin' oil]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Fresno California... either you get it or you don't

Really any place in the Central Valley from Grapevine to Stockton should be on any foreigner's bucket list. You could spend weeks exploring all the small communities like Sfafter, Earlimart, Dinuba, Corcoran . . .

It is LITERALLY just like the Luberon.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by Burnin' oil

Really any place in the Central Valley from Grapevine to Stockton should be on any foreigner's bucket list.

It is LITERALLY just like the Luberon.

Try ordering a tarte aux poireaux, filet de sangier au genievre and a bottle of Bandol rose in Stockton.

[Hugo930]

World class?

[Hugo930]

you seem like a good guy but so pompous. Do you not get enough attention out in the real world?

Originally Posted by Dottore

Try ordering a tarte aux poireaux, filet de sangier au genievre and a bottle of Bandol rose in Stockton.