If you're from the UK and don't want to fly to San Francisco (because of both time and time difference), I think you'd find either NYC or Washington, DC, interesting.

Hi
As an ex-pat. from the UK myself I would go for something like Santa Fe. It is so different and very lovely. The areas around Santa Fe can be got to by tours and there is lots to see in that area. If you are interested in the Indian history there is Mesa Verde which is quite close in the south of Colorado, there are the Puablo Indian ruins and the present day Indian sites which are very interesting. Santa Fe is the second oldest town in the USA and therefore has a lot of history. You could also take a trip down to Los Alamos.
I would be inclined to stay out of the big cities at the time.

I vote for Chicago. Boston and Philadelphia are nice, but in a way they are a little bit too much like the UK for a visitor to feel a real difference. At least that's what an English friend told me; similar architecture, a lot of 18th-19th century stuff that seemed familiar. Chicago is an undiscovered gem, at least in terms of European/UK visitors. The city is great and so full of life!! The people are citywise yet friendly. The blues and jazz clubs are amazing. Flying there would not be that much longer from the UK than flying to east coast and the time difference is only one hour more than the east coast.
David tell us what you decide!

Thank you all for your help. It seems to be coming down to (with my reservations):

New York: Accommodation horribly expensive.

Boston: Accommodationn appears pricey, is there enough to do?

San Francisco: A bit to far for a short break

Chicago: Again is there enough to do. Also are there blues clubs in Chicago still?

Is there such a thing as a single room in an american hotel? I realise this may sound like a stupid question, but everytime I look for accommodation on this interwebnet thingy all I get are double rooms. Surely a single would be cheaper?

As a Brit who has been to all the above except Chicago (as we were due to fly Sep 12 for 5 days and were cancelled), i would recommend Boston for a short trip. Loads to do, great sightseeing, good shoppping, great food. wander through Boston Common, do a trollety tour or Duck Tour, have a cocktail in the Omni Parker, shop at Filene's, go to Harvard, see JFK house and the Library, go to the House of Blues in Cambridge, Chocolate Buffet at the Meridian, walk the Freedom Trail, see the Boston Tea Party re-construction, go to Cheers Bar, see Beacon Hill and more.........As for accomodation satay outside, in Cambridge or I stayed in Chelsea, a way out, but managed to go back and for on public transport quite easily and cheaply. All rates in US hotels tend to be 'for a room' whether there is one or two of you. Hard luck for singles, though the rooms tend to be huge with 1 or 2 double beds. I stayed in the Wyndaham Chelsea. Fantastic new hotel for 90 dollars a night. Loved it.

Go, enjoy...

Is there enough to do in Chicago? Are there still blues clubs...

does England still have a queen? ;-)

The answers being, yes, yes, and yes. Chicago has a world class art museum, museum of natural history and aquarium. The shopping is top-notch. Endless choice of restaurants. And the music scene is great...blues and jazz clubs abound.
Hotels...check www.hotrooms.com
They may quote you a double price, but it's the same for a single. You should expect to pay about $100-$135 a night for a comfortable room. See what hotrooms suggests.
You'll have a great time if you go...I've spent a week in Chicago every year for 14 years in a row and I've never run out of things to do!!

Are looking at rooms in NYC through discount hotel websites. Remember tourism is down and deals are on. Try this link http://lodging.yahoo.com/lodging/y-noam/us/usny/, it is the hotel selection for travelocity. I would also go to cheaptickets.com and do a general search for discount hotels NYC. I have also heard of people getting great deals when they bid for their hotel.

For discounts on hotels

http://www.hdn.com/

I live in Florida, near Key West.
Right now you can't beat the prices on airfares or hotels for las vegas. They have free shows all over the place, in hotel lobbies and outside. You eat cheap, etc.etc. And even if the trip takes a while, you can sleep on the plane and party when you get there - if that's your choice. I went there for a conference and brought my son (25). He had a great time - I was at meetings!

I would go to the keys,,,nice little piece of tropical only 3 hours from NY by air of course.

hmmmm, Las Vegas DOES have museums and galleries. They are all listed in What's On. The Hermitage just opened a "Branch" on the Strip, but there are so many off the strip. You just have to look for them. LV is a city, like any other city, and its residents like art in their lives, too.

thank you all for your advice. We have a winner.....

It's chicago. I'll let you know how I get on.

David