I am going to the USA from Europa with my boyfriend and we're going to NYC, it's my second time in America but for my hungarian boyfriend is his first!!!

we'll be in NYC for a week and then we will rent a car and drive down to Raleigh NC, to see a Colombian friend of mine from university who settled in the USA after marrying her American husband!

we're planning to see some interesting cities during the road trip like Washington DC, Philadelphia and Atlantic City.... but we were told that many American cities are nothing but masses of dull suburbia, highways and malls..... and that's exactly what I want to avoid, I don't want to see walmart, bestbuy, starbucks, macy's and so on.... I wanna see cool sights

any recommendations on where to go in these cities?

There is so much to see and do that it would be hard to narrow it down; a lot depends on your interests. But a good starting point for Philadelphia would be to read this thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-itinerary.cfm as well as this one: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...iladelphia.cfm

Washington, DC, has a host of things to see and do; for a glimpse of what you can see in just one day, click on this thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ely-dc-day.cfm

Personally, I do not find Atlantic City to be a fascinating destination; if you're going for the casinos and boardwalk, fine, but there's really not a great many interesting places in the city itself. The Jersey shore area has other places of greater charm, if you are interested in the beaches.

You will find "masses of dull suburbia" in any place that has a fairly high population density; it's where most people live/shop/eat, after all. But it's rather a stretch to say that there's "nothing" but that. Remember, one of the greatest assets of sightseeing in the US is its diversity of geography; you might want to include some scenic places along with your cities.

Your amount of time will be a determining factor for how much you can do, of course! Don't forget that the distances can be quite substantial.

I would skip Atlantic City unless you want to see that kind of place. You won't have any troubling finding interesting things in Philadelphia and Washington DC. It's been years since we went on a southern road trip but the Chesapeake Bridge is an experience. One year we drove the Skyline Drive thru Virginia. You could stop at a place like Jefferson's Monticello.

If you stay on major interstates, you are going to see nothing but roadway and commercial areas. I suggest planning part of your drive thru scenic areas. If you are short on time, however, there is plenty to see in the cities you've already mentioned. The traffic on the interstates esp between NYC and Washington is heavy but a necessary evil unless you have a lot of time for driving some alternate routes.

And I can't remember the name of the beautiful Victorian town/beach in southern NJ.

If you decide to go to Atlantic City, go to Philadelphia first, then take the freeway to AC, then continue south on the Garden State Parkway to Cape May, the victorian town mentioned by dfrostnh. From Cape May there is a ferry that takes you across to Lewes, DE. You could work your way back to DC from here then on to Raliegh, or from Lewes, continue south and visit some nice beach areas like Chincoteague, and then cross the Chesapeak Bay Bridge to VA and up to Williamsburg and then to Richmond VA and back to DC then on to Raliegh.

If you go to Atlantic City, make sure to go to the Borgata Hotel and Casino. It's not on the boardwalk but it's only a 10 minute drive. Best hotel in A/C by far and you will get a feel for what a Las Vegas hotel is like.

This is interesting. We have had numbers of Russian visitors over the years and have wondered what they might find "interesting" in our southern city. They DID find WalMart wonderfully fascinating, but they found many things about American life to be very "exotic", just as we did when visiting their smaller Russian city.
But it is true, if you stay on the interstates, you'll see every mall.
Near Raleigh, visit Hillsborough's older historic district.
There is historic Richmond, on your way south.
Do a little research and there are numerous Civil War sites to visit.
There is Williamsburg, a bit off the track.
The area around Philadelphia and south is beautiful countryside. There is the Wyeth museum and the mushroom farms in that area.
Philadelphia is a treasure trove of american history.
Who knows what you will find "cool". Maybe just miles and miles of single family homes of all kinds, from mansions to little cheeseboxes.

What time of year will you be visiting and how much time do you have for the road trip?

DC is a real city - great for walking - and has a huge number of sights.

Atlantic City is a pustule on the face of the earth and therre are parts that are unpleasant and even dangerous. The only reason to go is to gamble - and then pick and good hotel and don;t leave it.

Philly also has some interesting sights and a cute downtown - but is noting like DC or New York.

In the other direction Boston is a fascinating city with lots of historic sights and much of it is walkable.

If you avoid the suburbs and stay city center you will get a more european feel - but NYC is probably the closest.

Their are other sights on the way south - but not a lot of places I would consider cities in the european sense.

That is hilarious, and very congruent with the map sold in the tourist shops of NYC of a "new yorker's view of the United States"!!
Let's see, are they coming to see "Europe in america" or are they coming to see "America".
And if you really want to know the most "European feel" city in the US, I nominate Charleston,NOLA or San Francisco.
When I go to Europe, I look at big and little places for their charm and difference from where I come from. I was trying to say the same thing in my previous post--there is MUCH in the US for others to enjoy, and find interesting.
There's only one NYC, just as there is only one Paris. But there is lots to see in Americana that is "cool". But, a New Yawker might be too jaded to see it. AND I lived in NYC for many years, and have seen the syndrome up close and personal. LOL

another vote to skip Atlantic City

Boston, Wash DC, Philadelphia, Charleston, Atlanta, Miami

We have always found it fascinating when hosting visitors from Europe to discuss with them their preconceptions about the US and what they actually found. When we hosted some teens their parents were terrified that every American carried a gun and shootings were commonplace on every corner every day. Or their impressions were based on what they saw on US-made TV shows.

It is clear what you do not want to see - how do you define "cool sights" for you.

Sorry - there are a lot of places that are not cities in a european sense - that is with a center that is very busy and active - people walking all over the streets at all hours of the day and night, sidewalk cafes, public transit and lots of things within walking distance.

I have been in many american cities (Atlanta, Dallsa, Houston) where a pedestrian is a rarity, everyone drives everywhere, there is little street life and the whole place has no soul. The OP asked about cities that were like european cities - rather than car-driven suburbs with masses of malls and giant box stores instead of sidewalk cafes, sidewalk food vendors, small local parks, and tons of individual boutiques, stores and restaurant lining every avenue. I agree there are other US cities like this (SF is, NO isn;t - since it's really just for tourists) - but the OP said they were headed down the east coast - not cross country.

You will have to show me where the OP says they want "European cities". I have looked and looked at her post. They can stay home and see all they want. They said they didn't want "malls".
NOLA just for tourists. REally.
There are nice small cities en route to the larger population centers that are very charming, and maybe even moreso through the eyes of a European. AND I'll bet there are even pedestrians!!
I find NYC not the least "European" personally.
OP, get off the beaten track/interstate. The US really IS more than malls, and NYC.

I don't want to see walmart, bestbuy, starbucks, macy's and so on.... I wanna see cool sights

It is unlikely you can travel far in the US without encountering Wal-Mart, Bestbuy, Starbucks, Macy's, and similar places. You will have to map your routes between destinations so as to avoid these offenses.

Philadelphia and Washington D.C. have attractions that interested me, but I don't think either city qualifies as "cool." Sorry. Perhaps the US isn't for you and the Hungarian gentleman.

If y o don;t find NYC to be like a european city then I doubt you have never been to Europe. I have been more than 70 times - and NYC has the same atmosphere as great european cities - pedestrian centers, parks, sidewalk cafes, street life, small shops and restaurants everywhere - not just soulless highrises with deserted streets and everyone scurrying from place to place in their cars: house to office to mall to market to house - with never any time actually spent in the street exploring the city (since many "cities" have little city about them).

It is off OP's and nytraveler radars but Denver is one of three cities in the US with a true pedestrian boulevard.

Another vote for Richmond, VA. though having an interest in the US Civil War will help. Believe it or not, there are walking areas and touristy areas and pedestrian areas full of locals. And there are malls and Wal-Marts and suburban sprawl.

If possible, stay off the interstate, you'll pass by tons of shopping centers.

Well I'm assuming they mean cities along the east coast?

If we're just talking great cities, I'd toss in the major west coast places... Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.

I agree about getting off the interstate and seeing some of the countryside. There's some great drives you could make. Sure you might see a shopping mall along the way, but a lot of other great scenery as well.

One place not mentioned so far is Baltimore, right along the way. Baltimore City may be a lot of things but it is certainly not dull suburbia, malls and highways, but a place with character (although read up, since there are some rough parts); check out the Lexington Market and Cross Street Market while you're there for a slice of Balitmore. Annapolis I also see has yet to be mentioned, and you may also find this capital of the state of Maryland enjoyable, charming and built on a human scale.

Have a great trip! Daniel

If you can get out West, you won't find big chain stores in places such as Ennis and Red Lodge in Montana or Buffalo and Dubois in Wyoming. These are just of the few great towns out here with mom-and-pop hotels, restaurants--everything. And they are "cool."

HTTY