Lets start a fun new topic where we tell all what our favorite US city is. Chicago gets my vote. what about you??

Definitely Savannah, GA!! Even all the hype generated by the book "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil" hasn't diminished it's appeal to us. It's been our favorite US city for 20 years. Sorry San Francisco, you're number two with us - but a very close race.

I live in San Diego so of course it has to be number one. My second home is the Bay area. Spent many years there and am temporarily living there now. I have traveled all throughout the country and lived in many parts.

1. San Diego, CA

2. San Francisco, CA

3. New York ( visit only )

4. Spokane, WA

5. Thats it folks.

I'm ONLY going to answer the question "Which cities would you most recommend as a place to VISIT?"

1. New York City (tops in art, culture, ethnic diversity, food, and shopping)
2. Boston (tops in history, and science museums)
3. Chicago (good in many categories)
4. Denver/Colorado Springs(tops in mountain scenery)
5. Los Angeles/Orange County (tops in amusement parks, entertainment tours)

You have to add San Francisco to that list. A person can't say they've travelled if they haven't been to the City. What a wonderful place.

And, I'll admit it...I'm gonna say Las Vegas. There's a lot to not like about it, but plenty to love, too.

San Francisco hands down.

I can tell none of you guys have ever been to Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, or Vancouver, BC. I mean, Spokane is a nice town, but I wouldn't rank it among the top five cities in the U.S.

Being from the Pacific Northwest. theres so many. Portland, Oregon has a beautiful rose garden, on top of a hill, with a beautiful view of Mt. Hood. another favorite, is Leavensworth, WA and Winthrop,Wa, these are both beautiful. for a trip along the coast, I like Newport, Or. and for well known towns, Washington D.C. all cities are great in their own way.

I've been all over the US. I generally prefer rural/small town America, but here's my list:

1. San Francisco. Sure it's a bit dirty, but the weather's great, and the town is the best.

2. LA. What's not to like? It's so big, there's something for everyone. I'll go for the hills and the ocean.

3. Washington, D.C. Okay, so I've never lived here. But it's the best city in the US I've been in for tourism.

4. New Orleans. It's been a while since I've been there, but it is a fascinating city with food and music second to none.

5. Seattle. It's green, scenic, and if you get it on a rare sunny day, it can't be beat. Try the seafood.

My nominations for Best U.S. Cities to Visit:

1. LOS ANGELES & AREA
The new Getty Museum alone is reason enough to visit LA. Also highly recommended: LA Country Museum of Art, Huntington Library & Gardens in Pasadena, the LA Philharmonic (probably the best symphony concerts in the U.S. today). Stay at the Bel-Air in LA near UCLA or at the Ritz Carlton in Padadena.

2. PORTLAND, OREGON
The best bookstore in the country is Powells in downtown Portland. The Portland Rose Garden is fabulous, the Zoo delightful, and the city is gorgeous. Two rivers flow through town and the parks along the Willamette Riverfront are lovely. This is a superbly civilized, gracious city. Stay in the Riverparc or at Heathmans Hotel. This citylet is chock full of excellent restaurants!

3. SAN FRANCISCO & AREA
The Opera here is fabulous, the city is beautiful, the views (when it's not foggy) sublime. Lincoln Park is worth at least half a day in spectacular coastal bluff walks. There's SO MUCH to do and see in the area. Don't miss Point Reyes National Seashore. My favorite SF restaurant is Greens at Fort Mason but the best dining, actually, is in the East Bay: Olivettos (Oakland) & Chez Panisse (Berkeley). Stay at the Ritz Carlton or Sherman House; the Inn at the Opera and the Huntington Hotel are less expensive and still delightful choices.

4. NEW YORK CITY
Outstanding museums: The Cloisters, the Frick, Museum of Modern Art, the Gugenheim, Metropolitan Museum, the Museum of Natural History. Wonderful dining (although expensive). Fabulous modern dance programs at City Center and the Joyce Theatre. Ride the Staten Island ferry. Great bookstores including the Strand on Broadway. Stay at the St. Regis.

5. NEW ORLEANS
The United States' most European city -- wonderfully unique ambience, fabulous food, gardens, terrific shopping. I love New Orleans; best to visit in the late fall or in early spring (catch azalea blooming time). Summer is too darn hot and muggy. My favorite time, actually, is over Christmas week (but before the Sugar Bowl crowds arrive at New Years) when the French Quarter is less crowded, less busy but everything is still open. Best place to stay in New Orleans is SONIAT HOUSE (it is magnificently romantic).

6. BOSTON
What a great city! Favorite museums: Elizabeth Gardener Museum (eccentric, electic and wonderful) and the Museum of Fine Art (marvelously comprehensive). Fun shopping along Newberry Street. Wander around the Harvard campus and adjacent bookstores in Cambridge. Catch a movie at the IMAX at the Science Museum. Best place to dine is Adjourd'hui in the Four Seasons. The two best places to stay in Boston are the Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons.

7. SEATTLE
Another great town for books -- don't miss the Elliot Bay Book Company. Great food in the restaurants, wander around Pikes Market of course, ride the many ferries around Puget Sound, beautiful parks and gardens. A gorgeously serene city. Stay at the Four Seasons Olympic.

8. WASHINGTON D.C.
This is another city, like New York, that achieves its listing due to its museums, most especially the National Gallery which is very fine indeed. Best dining is out of town at The Inn at Little Washington.

I've done lots of travelling around the country. Here are MY favorite cities.

1. SAN DIEGO--very laid-back, nice weather, EXCELLENT beaches, EXCELELNT Mexican food, beautiful women.

2. SAN FRANCISCO-- I live here. VERY cosmopolitan, VERY European, great mix of diverse people, GREAT restaurants.

3. MIAMI--VERY sexy...VERY tropical...GREAT salsa radio stations.

4. MADISON, WI--for this native California kid, the week spent during the Wisconsin-Ohio State football game was something I'd never experienced before. It's a true college-town...lots of spirit, multi-generation alums...VERY friendly people. The whole town shut-down for the game!

5. NEW YORK--a must-visit city, for all the obvious reasons.

6. CHARLESTON, S.C.--very beautiful & charming city...friendly people...EXCELLENT golf courses. Everyone is polite and they have really cool southern accents.

New York has to win-it's the most exciting city in the world! However --Charleston SC is, in my opinion, the loveliest American city and a fun place to visit. San Francisco would be my vote for third place, then I'd probably go with Boston(great walking city). Rounding out my top five would be Chicago-very exciting and culturally rich.

I have traveled to lots of cities and like them all for various reasons but my very favorite city/cities are Mpls/St. Paul. (And I live in the L.A. Area). I love the shopping, people, the many parks and lakes and going to the Mississippi River/St. Croix Area. Just a lovely place to visit. WE have taken several friends there with us and they have been impressed too. The areas out by Lake Minnetonka are nice as are the areas around Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun. Lots of people getting exercise by jogging, roller blading, etc.

1. San Francisco

2. New York City

3. Chicago

4. New Orleans

5. Boston

Honorable mention - I am not sure where I would rank it but I agree with above poster that Madison, WI is right up there. I lived there for 7 1/2 years and went to grad school at UW-Madison. I hated to leave when I moved back to NC even though all my family is here, and this is a very scenic state. Madison has very friendly people, real character, lots of festivals, nice parks and lakes, and an awesome variety of restaurants for its size.

Some great suggestions above. I just wanted to clear up one thing and add a comment. First, I was born in Victoria, and lived there and Vancouver, Seattle and Portland before moving away from the Northwest to see what it was like to have the sun shine once in awhile. That is why we live in San Diego which I am glad to see was not picked by many folks. That means that the word is not out yet as we are already growing too fast. I picked Spokane because it has some of the nicest people that I have met anywhere on the face of the earth. There is a lot of scenery close by and in general I liked it. I don't expect it to be on too many people's list.

The northwest is OK but much too damp and dreary for most of the year. It you find yourself in Seattle then definitely visit Victoria and Vancouver. In fact skip Seattle altogether and just visit those two cities if the Northwest is your choice.

My most favorite U.S. city besides my home CHICAGO is - VIVA LAS VEGAS BABY, YEAH!!

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY HANDS DOWN!

I normally do not post, however, I felt compelled to respond. The beauty of this town is unsurpassed by no other city. The beautiful horse farms with their white plank fence that stretches for miles, mares & their foals in the distance. The people are so genuinely friendly...I look forward to the day that I can return to My Old Kentucky Home.

1. Honolulu & Anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands!
2. Seattle
3. NYC
4. San Francisco
5. Lake Tahoe & Reno

We have lived in many US cities (and visited many others). I now live in the Charleston, SC area and do consider it to be one of the best cities to visit. We have beaches, history, ambiance, Voted the Most Polite City in the US, great fresh seafood, and much to see and do for tourists.

My other favorite cities to visit are San Francisco, San Diego, Cape Cod.

LEAST FAVORITES: New Orleans, Dallas and Orlando.

I have to say SF or none of you would ever listen to my advice again, right??? But, LA is great when you get to know it and for a party, there's nothing like New Orleans. Washington D.C. is so interesting and educational and yet also provides some of the fun of a tourist city. Chicago is good for 6 months of the year!! San Diego (just returned) is a beautiful beach city with great ethnic restaurants, but not as much diversity as LA. I happen to thoroughly dislike NYC and I was born there, but you know what, folks, it all depends on what you like to do and what you're looking for in a city. We've got some really great ones in this country and should be proud that we can offer the divesity of cities that few countries have.