Hello all you Europe travel experts.

We have done a lot of independent travel around Europe and absolutely love it. However, we are planning another trip in 2007 which will take in Moscow and St. Petersburg and then our Round the World Ticket will take us to the U.S. and then home to Australia from either San Francisco or Los Angeles.

We will have 4 or 5 weeks available for the U.S. and can use our RTW ticket for flights within the U.S.

What is not to be missed?

And ........ Will we be disappointed in the U.S.A. if we adore Europe?

Not wishing to hurt anyone's feelings with this remark.

What time of year will you be in the U.S.? Do you like nature, or cities, or both?

Regardless of your answers go to San Francisco before L.A., IMHO.

You should really post this question on the US Forum. And when you do so, give a lot more information to get good answers. What do you like? Big city? Country? Theater? Shopping? Natural wonders? There is so much to see in the US in any category, I don't think you'll be disappointed, but you'll need to give more information about what you enjoy.

If you like Europe, you'll probably prefer the coasts (SF, NY, etc.) and maybe not spend too much time on the "flyover" states.

Hell, I'd rather go to Europe or at least NY (from SF) than stop anywhere in the middle.

And yes, I've been to Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake.

As long as you keep in mind that the US is not Europe you should be fine! You won't find that old old feeling but there are some amazing things to see and do. Off the top of my head, I'd say see New York City, the Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest (and Northern California).

I live in NYC and adore Europe too. Paris to me is just-well you know awesome. Having said that after traveling alot there really is nowhere in the world like NYC. It is quite amazing-the energy alone will have you buzzing. Other suggestions on the East Coast, Boston(closest to Europe I think), all of New England is really beautiful,Miami alot of fun not like Europe but ALOT of Europeans there. West Coast--San Fran, Seattle, San Diego. Also the Southwest is really beautiful, Sante Fe in New Mexico and Las Vegas for some cheesy fun.

Probably safe to say that most everyone on this particular forum loves Europe. I do. But that's not to say that I don't enjoy Australia as well when we visit. In fact, my wife's a Melburnian and I've had a good time everytime she's taken me back to her hometown. But of course, that's with the expectation that the two places are not comparable and shouldn't be expected to be similar. They each have their strong points.

That said, the US isn't really much like the Europe that tourists visit at all as others have already pointed out. But my choices to recommend overlap the others -

NYC: It's one of a kind for buzz, things to do, etc.

The Southwest: In particular, the Grand Canyon, the national parks of southern Utah. Scenery like nothing in Europe or Australia

San Francisco: As California goes, this would be my choice. The ocean drives are nice, but not really more inspiring to my eye than the Great Ocean Road there in Victoria. But I like the architecture and setting. Sort of (if you squint) makes me think of Sydney's harbor setting and modern buildings, mixed in with the old gold rush/victorian sort of architecture like you might see in Bendigo. Well, ok, arguable, but I do like the SF vibe.

Other places: If you're traveling in autumn, the fall scenery is great in the New England area. The Rocky Mountains from Santa Fe on up through to and into Canada are good almost anywhere as long as you're not driving in winter.

What is not to be missed in the US:

1 week in New York (this is a no duh)
3 days in Miami Beach (so you can see the tropical side of life in the US
5 days in Chicago (Upper Midwest
1 week for Denver/Rocky Mountains (southwest mountains that can't be beat)
4 days in San Francisco/Wine country
4 days in Seattle

That should about cover it for 4-5 weeks to see the best the US has to offer.

Unless you're a Disney fan, then you should consider Orlando, FL, or Anaheim, CA.

I doubt you'll be disappointed in the US compared to Europe. We're quite friendly (even New Yorkers, despite their reputation as the French of the US) and the landscape is stunning.

Happy travels,

Jules

So many different answers from different people... you're likely to get more opinions than you can asimilate.

I would recommend:

Coastal California: Hearst Castle (San Simeon), The Big Sur castline into Carnel and the Montery peninsula

Las Vegas - - nothing in the world like it.

Natural wonders of the west: Yosemite and/or Grand Canyon and/or Moab, Utah for Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

New Orleans - - it will be returning to readiness for you in 2007, even though much of its heart and soul won't come back for decades; anyway, even if it isn't ready for you, it needs you.

Miami and the Keys - - maybe the Keys aren't so important to you Aussies since you have the Great Barrier Reef, but Miami is a slice of America that does not exist elsewhere in our country.

Washington, DC - - mentally more American than the rest of America (and that's both admirable and a real part of the problem of being America at the same time).

Niagara Falls - - a long way to go, for something you have to see and feel to understand, but still cool (and Toronto is as good a glimpse of Canada as any... for a day or several).

And if you have the right fans to take you, and get you caught up in the fever, then try to include a pilgrimage to Talladega, or Ann Arbor on an October Saturday, or Chapel Hill in March, or Fenway Park, or countless other examples.

Don't believe for a second that you won't find good reasons to visit any state you choose... Oklahoma? search Chihuly... South Dakota? Mt. Rushmore... Kentucky? Mammoth Cave.

Anyone who finds disappointment in the US doesn't understand the picture.

Best wishes,

Rex

What is it that you like about Europe?

If it is ancient churches and cobblestone streets in tiny villages that have been unchanged since the 14th century, you will not find a lot of that.

If it is beautiful scenery, great food, friendly people, excellent hotels, wonderful beaches and lakes, mind-blowing shopping, world class museums, a mryiad of sporting activities, and the opportunity to experience the arts in the form of theatre, dance, music or the visual arts then yes, you will enjoy the US.

Don't forget about Canada, your RTW ticket might let you get there, Montreal might fit the bill for you and some great natural beauty. (No, I am not Canadian.)

A combination of Rex and Jules4's itinerary would be my suggestion:

5 days in New York would be enough unless you are wanting the city experience.

3 days in Miami Beach - I would change this for Washington DC but I'm a tropical girl myself so Miami is not that interesting to me...another good substituation would be Boston / New England (it should be more like 5 days in this case)

Unless you are very interested in cities / museums / nightlife, I would skip Chicago and add a week in some of the Utah National Parks - Bryce, Zion or Canyonlandans and Arches (maybe you could throw in a night in Vegas)

1 week for Denver/Rocky Mountains (southwest mountains that can't be beat) - this is amazing and not to be missed but my #1 choice for mountains is Grand Teton. But if you have been to Switzerland a few times this might not be so impressive.

4 days in San Francisco/Wine country

4 days in Seattle - hmmmm. Have you considered an Alaska cruise departing from Seattle? You could fly home from Anchorage...

Given that you say you love Europe (which I assuem is why you posted this question on the Europe forumn), given that you have 4-5 weeks, and to get something of a "taste" of different areas of the US, and to the "best" (my opinion obviously)of the US, this is what I'd suggest:

1 week in NYC !!!

1 week in New England - I would rent a car upon leaving NYC and drive up through Western Mass and Vermont, over to the Maine coast and end with 2 days in Boston. Then fly to:

1 week in the coastal southeast - Charleston, Savanaha, down to northern Florida. You'd need to rent another car there. Then fly to:

1 week in the Rockies- Colorado, New Mexico and/or Arizona. Depending on how much you like driving you could just keep driving out to:

1 week in California - norther from about Big Sur up to San Francisco

As you are undoubtedly learning, we do have our share of parochials here in the US for whom travel has apparently not broadened their horizons.

I think Rex made excellent recommendations and i would add that as much as I appreciate San Francisco, please do attempt to ignore the panhandlers if you go there, much less the people who have been forced out of their homes by rising housing costs.

Los Angeles: once described as "A thousand shopping centers in serach of a city" but if you are looking for cultural opportunities it offers more than any other California city (and no, I am not talking about the Universal Studios tour) and, often, better wetaher.

And as to those "flyover states"..well, you've already heard about the Rocky Mountains, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, etc., but you might also be interested in places like the Boundary Waters, Smokey Mountain National Park, Charleston or Savannah, or some of the interiors in New England beyond Boston, the North Carolina Outer Banks...the list, like the size of your own country is endless.

>We will have 4 or 5 weeks available for the U.S. and can use our RTW ticket for flights within the U.S.

What is not to be missed?<

Oh Lordy, Jo.

Y'all are going to have to do some research.

The USA covers 6,000,000 sq miles.

It has large cities, small towns, Indian villages, seacoasts, lakes, rivers, deserts, rainforests, mountains, canyons, castles and hovels, cathedrals, museums, art galleries and the occasional good restaurant.

What interests you?

I think you should read John Steinbeck's "Travels With Charley".

Failing that, you could try a sooth-sayer or a stockbroker, both of whom are known for their audacity, if not their accuracy, in predicting future successes and failures.

Not sure exactly which states wco81 considers "flyover" states (some people from CA tend to consider any state b/t CA and NY as unworthy), but my friends from Europe loved visiting Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas when they did their tour of the U.S. In their minds, it was "true" America. (And no, I'm not from any of those states.)

I'm sure others will cover all the famous natural sites we have.

I have loved my roadtrips back and forth across this USA, and don't consider any state a "flyover", although some of them do look spectacular from the air. I've driven through and around most of them.

I live in Manhattan, of course I feel it's not to be missed. Inlike any other city in the world.

For contrast, and for something more "off the beaten track", which is a core American thing:
Clarksdale, Mississippi-in the Delta Country, heart and birthplace of the Delta Blues, (the backbone of much American Music), and home to the AMerican actor Morgan Freeman who grew up there and owns/operates a wonderful blues club there.
see:
http://www.deltabluesmuseum.org

Despite what everyone told me, on my drive across the continent in 2003, one of my favorite stretches was the farms of Kansas. In 2005, it was the vast regions of Montana.

Cities

San Francisco and the Bay area is by far the single most interesting, diverse and beautiful place in the US. Boston area is a close second. These should be the starting point for any US visit.

Mainly Scenery

Most foreigners love the southwest because it is so different from what they are used to seeing. New Mexico (Sante Fe, Taos, etc) and Arizona (Phoenix, Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, etc)have the most to see

Other Good Places

1. Last Vegas
2. Miami
3. Seattle & Olympic Peninsula
4. Boulder, Co. & rockies

Overrated Places. They are OK, but should not be at the top of your list

1. Chicago
2. Niagra Falls/Toronto
3. New York
4. Orlando & Central Florida

I'm probably a little bias in my love of the Great Lakes but if nature is your thing and you are coming in the summer they are a must-see. Seeing Lake Michigan from Chicago does not do them justice in the least bit. There are countless little towns along the coast and nearly all would make a suitable place to stay for a few days if you would like to get away from the bigger cities.