mogton

We are going to the US for 3 weeks next year. Around Aug 22nd. Not certain where we are going and I know its vast but would like some suggestions similar to places we've been before as a guide. We will be travelling with a 3 year old this time.

We have loved Washington DC and Chicago before plus we will likely be going to San Francisco but happy to fly between coasts during our time there.

Thanks in advance.

china_cat

we need more...WHY did you love DC and Chicago? was it the museums? the architecture? the history? the restaurants? Is it really just cities that interest you?

I mean, the obvious thing is to suggest San Francisco, New York City, Boston...but that seems very random.

mogton

We loved Chicago for the clean wide streets, the beautiful lake shore drive, millennium park, the free concerts. We loved Washington because it was easy to cycle around, lovely open parkland between the monuments to wander around. I love so much greenery and places to walk in cities. Weirdly never been fond of Boston. Love New England but I've been Boston 3 times and still struggled to find the love I have for other places.

mogton

Currently looking at Atlanta which looks promising.

WhereAreWe

Atlanta in August will be pretty hot and humid. Of course, that can be said about most cities east of the Mississippi River.

What about Minneapolis? Great park system with lots of green space, one of the best cities for bicycles, and some really nice smaller towns within a short drive. You could even drive up to Duluth and beyond for a couple days, the north shore of Lake Superior is awesome.

Ackislander

Nothing very promising about Atlanta.

Minneapolis is an interesting idea that I would not have thought of. My son and his wife moved there from Chicago and liked it a lot. Good thought, WhereAreWe!

Two excellent museums, lots of outdoor activities, a University in adjacent St Paul and clean since there are so many Scandinavians!

eroz

San Francisco, Portland OR , Seattle. All fabulous in August, great walking/biking/exploring.

kja

I second eroz's recs!

NewbE

You simply must see the West Coast: San Francisco, Portland and Seattle and parts in between would make for a great trip.

Minneapolis is a worthy suggestion with much to recommend it, except that 3 weeks in the Twin Cities and environs would be a tad too much, IMO, especially if you haven't been to the west yet.

gail

You could easily spend all 3 weeks on the west coast - I would consider San Diego in addition to places mentioned above. Plus you save 6 additional hours in a plane to get to other parts of US.

NeoPatrick

Gail, am I confused? I thought Mogton comes from UK, so the west coast adds time to the flight, not saves it.

But I'd agree, the West coast would be ideal for 3 weeks.

dwdvagamundo

Concur on the northern half of the West Coast.

I live in Atlanta and have a hard time conceiving what visitors would do here for three weeks in August, except try to find somewhere air-conditioned to sit and cool off.

NewbE

A Civil War buff could find more than enough history within driving distance of Atlanta, but otherwise, I agree with you, dwdvagamundo.

mogton

Thanks so much for your replies and so sorry for my delay answering. You are correct I am from the UK. My idea of east coast travelling with a toddler was that it was 6 hours shorter and then flying back from the west coast was planned to be a night flight to help with the toddler.

I have been to the US both East and West coast. For my 30th I did Chicago, San Diego, then drove up the coast to san fran stopping at santa cruz and santa monica enroute.

This time I am travelling with my partner and toddler and really want to show him san fran. I didn't appreciate San Diego but was only there late evening briefly so not a fair appraisal.

Thanks for the deterance from Atlanta. I was quite keen but know I am cautious. We are in the US for 3 weeks but not planning on staying in one place.

Minneapolis sounds promising so will have to see how the flight path works arriving from the UK plus transfers to San Fran. I do quite like the idea of Portland as well. Thanks for all the suggestions, I really need to fix some time to do some research in to your suggestions.