Done NYC and Chicago, where next?
 

Have had 2 very enjoyable trips (from Europe)to the US. Stayed each time about a week and mainly just walked around taking in the places. Museums, architecture, parks, people. Thinking about planning another trip. Ideas anyone?

San Francisco, California.

Yes, San Francisco is great, especially if you like encounters with homeless bums. <BR><BR>Mark, almost every city in hte US has museums, architecture, parks, and people. How about giving us some help on what you enjoy,what time of year you'll be visiting, ages and special interests and hobbies? Isn't there somewhere in the US that you've heard about, or seen on TV or in movies, that you're curious about?

Hi Mark,I've been to New Orleans,San Francisco,and Washington,DC.I found all of them very appealing in their own way and had lot's of fun in all.I'm on my way to back to New Orleans this month and can't wait.Good Luck.

My first response: San Francisco<BR>Boston, Mass. is also a fun, historic city-----and if you want to do something really different (but fun)go to Las Vegas.

Another vote for San Francisco (from one who lives here). Especially if you're coming soon - September through November is the most beautiful time of year here! As a European, I think you would love it, especially the Victorian architecture, and exploring the great parks, especially Golden Gate Park. Also, exploring the neighborhoods of North Beach (Italian, good cafe's), the Mission (Hispanic), and Chinatown. And then there's the beautiful ocean, all around the City ...<BR>

Bit of additional info about us for Sam and others (many thanks already, by the way). We're father and son (that's me), early eighties, late forties. Just back from Chicago, so trip will either be spring or fall next year. Have SF on the list but as Dad's been there, may try somewhere else, although could combine it with a few days in Las Vegas. Incidentally, we've found that encounters with homeless bums can be quite worthwhile as long as you respect each other. No particular hobby's or interests, just sort of go with the flow.

1st Choice: Washington, DC<BR>2nd Choice: Boston

Boston's my favorite ciyt, but sincethis pari have already been to NYC and Chicago, I'd recommend something away from the Northeast. Perhaps something completely different, like a couple of National Parks in the West?

Los Angeles, Las Vegas & Washington DC. You won't regret it.

SF or Washington DC

Washington DC (also hit Mt Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis) or Boston, Mass.

Los Angeles (fantastic climate)<BR>Washington DC (great city)<BR>Las Vegas (can tie in with LA since their only 4 hours apart)<BR>These are all 3 great tourist spots...

Since your Dad's already been to San Francisco (plus its hilliness may be a bit taxing for someone 80-plus) I would say Los Angeles as well...can be easily combined with a couple of days jaunt to Las Vegas, and then maybe even the Grand Canyon beyond Vegas.

1. Washington DC<BR>2. San Francisco

Here's another recommendation for Boston and San Francisco.

Seattle might be a fun change of pace from your previous travels.

Yes, San Fran or Seattle, but what about Santa Fe, N. Mex. and/or Flagstaff, Ariz.+Grand Canyon for something not even slightly like European city.

Thanks guys. The voting so far:<BR>SF 8x<BR>DC 8x<BR>Boston 4x<BR>LA 3x<BR>Las Vegas 3x<BR>Seattle 2x<BR>New Orleans 1x<BR>Santa Fe 1x<BR>Flagstaff 1x<BR>SF does sound like it's well worth a visit, but you've got me interested in Las Vegas and Santa Fe as well. Maybe leave Boston and DC until we've gone West.

I agree with Sam that SF does have a large homeless problem. As a result, SF streets have become dirty, not to mention the nasty urine smell form the street people using the sidewalks as a public toilet. As a person who lives in the SF area, I really in all hinesty could not ecommend that you come here. It has gooten so bad that I rarely go into SF anymore. Sf was a great city about 20 yrs. ago, but has since lost its appeal. I have found the culture and restaurants to be somewhat overrated when compared to Chicago, NYC, and LA. <BR><BR>If you like Northern California, why not fly into San Jose www.sanjose.org and after checking out San Jose and Silicon Valley, head down to the Monterey Bay Area. The Monterey and Carmel areas have the best California coastal scenary. Carmel is a very quaint town near Monterey. The drive down Highway 1 to Big Sur is Breathtaking. <BR><BR>LA and Las Vegas are also great options to consider.

I'l vote AGAINST LA--I can't imagine touring there. You will absolutely need a car, there is very little to see unless you want to tour the studio's back lots, and the atmosphere is one of a giant suburb. Tackier than LV.<BR><BR>DC and SF are great ideas. Seattle could be very fun, especially if you work in a day or two on the coast, exploring the only rainforest in N America. I really like Boston, but agree that it is very similar to NYC and Chicago, for tourist purposes.

How lovely to travel together! If you've seen the northeast, and American cities, I'd highly recommend a change of pace - such as the American southwest. How about Las Vegas and Santa Fe? If the east coast is easier, I'd recommend New Orleans and St. Augustine, FL or Charleston, SC. Just don't do these configurations in the middle of summer! Spring or fall, as you indicate, would be perfect. Enjoy!

Definitely consider Santa Fe and Seattle (and Vancouver too if Canada is an option). If you're out west, add Denver to the list.<BR><BR>Let us know what you decide!

I'd suggest Los Angeles with visits to surrounding areas such as Santa Barbara (absolutely gorgeous) and out to the desert perhaps to Palm Springs/Palm Desert. I'd also tie this in with a trip to Las Vegas for a couple of nights. We did this trip during a 9 day visit to Southern California last year. We've also visited SF but enjoyed Southern Cal more. I hope you have a great vacation to the US.

Great ideas. Thanks all. We got some fine suggestions from the forum for Chicago (see 'Walks in Chicago', also for my debriefing), so hoping your advice will be just as good.<BR>Will certainly have a good look at San Jose, Monterey, Carmel, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Seattle, Denver, Southern California.

1st choice - Washington DC (my former home)<BR><BR>2nd choice - New Orleans definitely a walking/streetcar city with culture!

Mark: Nice deflection of the pro-San Jose/anti-San Francisco element on this board. Everyone will just have to judge San Francisco on their own visit because the trolls are bent on sending everyone to the burbs.<BR><BR>I think it would be great to see something very different from where you have already been. I like Charleston, SC and think Santa Fe and Las Vegas are definitely experiences very different from Europe or NE US. Sedona is also another Arizona possibility. <BR><BR>I have not been to San Antonio, Texas or Memphis, TN but have had good recommendations for visits.<BR>

Katie, What pro San Jose/Anti SF element are you talking about? I think that people are giving their honest opinion about SF and also offering Mark some alternatives to SF since his Dad has already been there. San Jose and the surrounding area offers lots for a visitors, and a city of 1 million people, which San Jose is, I would not be consider to be a suburb.

I recently moved out of San Jose after 25 years. I can't imagine a WORST tourist destination. I hate it.

Katie/Belinda, I think that Mark should be allowed to make his own decision about where to go on vacation. You should not be posting your biased opinion to be confusing Mark. If you happen not to like San Jose, please stay away, but do allow others the opportunity to enjoy the city.<BR><BR>Mark, Please disregard the nasayers. San Jose does have a lot to offer for tourists. Sorry that you have to be exposed to this arguing.

Vegas!! Vegas!! Vegas!!!<BR><BR>Trust me, you won't be sorry!!

To Carl: Are you for real? Since when are Katie and Belinda not allowing Mark to make his own decision about where to go on vacation? I wasn't aware they had that kind of power over him. Are they physically restraining him?<BR><BR>If you go back and read the original post, Mark is clearly asking for ideas. In other words, he wants opinions. Guess what, Katie and Belinda offered opinions. Of course they're biased. Most opinions are. And guess what else, Mark is free to disregard them. And yours. Oh, and since when is your opinion any more unbiased or valid?<BR><BR>The only one arguing here is you, Carl.

Madge/Katie/Belinda or whatever name you prefer,<BR> <BR>You are offering opinions that are not helpful to Mark. By saying that you hate San Jose or that anyone who suggests visiting San Jose has something against San Francisco is not being helpful in any way. Also, Mark has stated that he would like to consider someplace other than San Francisco, since his Dad has already been there before.<BR>

How about Charleston, Savannah and some of the islands: Jekyll, St. Simons, Amelia and the St. Augustine

Hey, I'm not Katie or Madge! And I am just offering my opinion. You may think SJ is a fitting tourist destination. I'm simply saying that if you've been to Chicago and you've been to NYC, San Jose would hardly be the next destination I would consider. <BR><BR>And after living there for 25 years, I really don't like it. It's horribly crowded, people are pretty rude and there's just no there there. That said, there are a few things worth seeing. On my list would be the Rosecrution Museum, hmmmmmm.... I guess there's only one thing worth seeing.

Okay Belinda,<BR><BR>I am sorry that you do not like San Jose and I do hope that you have moved to a city that you enjoy more. having said that, NYC and Chicago also happen to be crowded, but that does not preclude them from being tourist destinations. There is far more to see and do in San Jose than just the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.

Well, I asked for opinions and I sure got them, even opinions on opinions. Absolutely no problem with differing views, it just shows how subjective things are. All your suggestions will help me to make up my own mind and I'm very grateful to you all.

Get away from the cities... Most Americans don't live in a city. You have to get away from major cities (far away) to see real American life,and some natural beauty.<BR>I would suggest any of the following:<BR>1) Adirondacks of New York State<BR>2) Vermont<BR>3) Cape Cod<BR>4) Maine<BR>5) Black Forest of Penn.

San Francisco, The Keys, New Orleans, Charleston/Savannah.

all the major cities suggested have different qualities, but for really different, new orleans leaps to mind.<BR><BR>both the french quarter and garden district are manageable on foot and are connected by a good trolley system.<BR><BR>the history is fascinating--a city w/ visible vestiges of spanish and french culture, plus a good dose of the american south. surprising history of black-white relations. right on the mississippi, w/ its own history and industry. also has its own distinctive styles of music and cuisine.<BR><BR>a little outside the city are stately antebellum plantation homes and estates, and haunting bayous and towns w/ their own french-canadian history and old french speakers.<BR><BR>