Most Europeans think of the old TV show "Dallas" when they think of the US, so I always recommend a trip to Fort Worth, Texas where they can see cowboys, cattle drives, and eat a good steak dinner.

Personally, I don't care for LA at all, especially in late summer when the smog is really bad. I haven't been to NYC.

Also agree with the notion to make National Parks prominent on the itinerary. U.S. cities are kind of underwhelming compared to the many ancient cities of Europe.

That said, July and August will be hot, hot, hot! Northwestern U.S. will probably be the coolest - Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier NP, even Yosemite. In my experience too, Europeans love the deserts and the American West, just because it's different from anything they have back home. They really like Vegas, lol. If you can take the heat, a trip through the southwest may be fun, including portions of Route 66.

Wow again! Wonderful ideas that you all are sharing!

I assure you that I'm 100% born and raised American...I just happen to be serving our country overseas! Part of my job is to represent the United States, that's why this trip means so much to me, because I'm so proud of the U.S. and there are so many possibilities that I need help narrowing them down!

My friend has not spent much time in Europe, he has mostly worked in developing countries, so I think this will be a wonderful expereince for him no matter what the itinerary ends up being...but based on your suggestions, hopefully a wonderful combination of National Parks, cities, towns, and experiences which can only be found in America!

I'll add my 2 cents, but what you decide will have a lot to do with how much time you want to spend driving and how much money you have to fly.

Start on the East Coast - NY is a must. A side trip to Boston with stops at the New England shore along as well. I might avoid Cape Cod due to the crowds, but you could try extending into Maine or the Green Mountains in New Hampshire.

Another must is the West Coast. I'd recommend starting in SF and doing the Coastline drive to LA. If he's a beach person continue to San Diego, and if not, go from LA to Yosemite. If you have extra time, start in Oregon and do some of the Oregon Coast and canyons.

What to do in between? That depends on how much time you have to drive or fly. Depending on how much time you have on the road, I'd recommend a road trip including some combination of the following: Santa Fe, Lake Powell and the Utah canyon regions, Yellowstone, Glacier National and Las Vegas. If you have time to include Chicago and a drive from Chicago to the other road trip, add it. But if things are short on time, I'd focus on the road trip around the West and Southwest.

New Orleans is nice, but will be very hot in the summer. I'd recommend skipping unless he really wants to see it. At another time of the year, I'd definitely recommend Charleston/Savannah but that depends on your tolerance for heat.

I would begin by Chicago-architecture-history-blues,...(3 to 4 days).
Then 6-7 days on the road 66 to have an
atmosphere of old US but also the new one-perhaps you can drive to Albuquerque/Santa Fe.
Then, an immersion in the indian culture and the southwest and the parks
(canyon de Chelley/Albuquerque/Monument valley/Arches/Petrified forest/ Bryce/Grand Canyon...) : 8 to 10 days.
Then 2 options:
- go north(wyoming/montana/south dakota : yellowstone/missoula/badlands/black hills)(7 days)
- or go west(california : sequoia national park/death valley/san francisco
the coast/Los Angeles).(7 to 10 d).
Then back to east for 2-3 days in Washington/2 in Philadelphia and end the travel in New York before going back...
I think it's better to finish by NY...
Or you are entouthiastic on the city and the rest of the sejour could be
less ppreciated or you are less entuthiastic and you'll not have a bad impression arriving in the states.
Erik.
NB : and there is a lot not made : Boston, New orleans and the plantations,
...There is so to visit in states...

This is my choice.

I'd start in Key West and spend a couple of days there then rent a car and drive to Miami.

I would spend a day or two in Miami so your friend can understand how diverse our culture and population are. He will also get a good feel for the geography of our own "island paradise".

From Miami, I would fly to DC and spend time there at the museums and monument and I would take the train from DC to NYC.

Spend a few days in NYC and head to Boston and site see there.

I would then fly out west and visit the Grand Canyon and Vegas.

From Vegas, I would fly to San Fran and also visit the wine country and drive south.

I think this will give your friend a taste of the very diverse geography, culture, and population of this country.

No insult intended, but I think the idea that a world traveler will be blown away by the history of Boston is a bit naive. I think that NYC and the West Coast (both LA and San Fran) are the must-see urban areas for foreigners, especially because they are all so different.

I would consider two or three roadtrips because that will give him a better view of the changing scenery of the US. The two I would definitely do would be : (1) DC up to NYC and environs (maybe stopping by Philly, the Shore, whatever's convenient and interesting for you) and (2) a big west coast trip -- maybe Grand Canyon (although will be brutally hot) to Vegas to San Deigo/LA up to San Fran. I think LA for a couple of days in the summer is a great trip, and very different from most parts of the world (for better or worse...), as is Vegas.

Then for a third trip you could decide what balance of city/country you'd want i.e. Chicago, or a national park. Unless, of course, you're willing to just drive cross-country -- proabably the most uniquely American travel experience, the roadtrip!

In July and August, I'd do the Northeast or the Northwest. In the Northeast, DC, NYC and a national park...maybe Bar Harbour, Maine...maybe Niagra Falls (although I like the Canadian side better.) Northwest, maybe Yosimete (Sp?), San Francisco, Seattle, Mt. Ranier.

The Grand Canyon and much of the old, scenic west will just be terrifically hot.

In terms of places to see in the Southwest, Bryce Canyon NP and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon won't be overly hot, since they're above 7000 feet elevation. Likewise, Santa Fe and Flagstaff should both be fairly comfortable.

OK...the ONE thing he says he really really wants to visit is New Orleans. Are we generally all in agreement though that New Orleans in July or August is just too hot to be enjoyable?

Thanks again!

New Orleans in July and August is really hellish...heat and tremendous humidity.

I agree it's beastly. But since it's a once in a lifetime opportunity for him I say do it! Do some early morning walks, always stay on the shady side of the street, stay indoors in the afternoon and enjoy the evenings.

Don't let the weather dictate your plans. Sure the South will be hot but isn't that part of the experience. Besides everything is airconditioned - there's always a way to escape the heat.

Here are my suggestions and I would be using a combination of rental cars, Amtrak and flights. My idea is to see that the US is simultaneously a homogenous monolith with its proliferation of chain hotels, stores and restaurants and a very geographically and socially diverse place. That the US is simultaneously sophisticated (the Met in NYC, vineyards in Napa) and hokey (ducks at the Peabody in Memphis, Vegas). - nobody would confuse Memphis with Seattle even though both have lots of McD's and Walmarts.

NYC - 3 days. Its not enough to really get to know the city but it will give you a good taste of it.

Amtrak

DC - 2 days - The monuments are world famous icons. Congress, The White House, etc.

Rental car

South Carolina - beautiful beaches and southern cities.

fly

FL - Miami and its diversity of cultures .
fly

NO - again just for a few days to see the range of cultures in the US.

rental car

Memphis - Who doesn't love Elvis, the Mississippi and BBQ. See a Redbirds game for a taste of American baseball. See the ducks at the Peabody.

fly

Grand Canyon and the Southwest including Vegas. Don't miss Vegas.

fly

Coast of California for a few days - redwood forests, wine country etc.

rental car

Seattle - the Pacific Northwest is so gorgeous.

rental car (?)

Yellowstone - for the natural beauty

rental car or Amtrak to Chicago

fly to Boston head north to see New England.

Covers most of the US. Whatever you decide you'll have a great trip.

I'd definitely go with Washington D.C./NYC (Amtrak between the two) for the history and the exciting big city.

For the last leg of the trip I'd definitely choose San Francisco, a side trip to Yosemite N.P. for a couple days, and a few days driving the CA coast.

For a third choice, I really like Chicago but some other National Parks are probably a better decision. How about Las Vegas and a big side trip to Hoover Dam, Zion N.P. and Bryce Canyon N.P. I'm leaving tomorrow night to visit Zion and Bryce myself for the first time, and I can't wait to see it with my own eyes.

I had another thought...I remember a very magical experience as a child but I can't remember exactly what it was. I recall getting on a paddle boat and racing down the Mississippi River against another paddle boat. We either ended up in St. Louis or New Orleans. Does anyone know what this would have been? Anyone taking a river cruise down the Mississippi to New Orleans? Thanks again!

Take him to New York and buy him a slice of Pizza. Don't go to any chains! Find some small shop on the corner.

I don't think you can come to the states and figure out the good stuff w/o one trip to a national park, I love NYC, San Fran, Seattle, ... but you have to see the parks to see what is different about the US. My top picks are Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Olypic National Park. Grand Canyon will be swarmed in July so one of the others may be better. There is so much to the olymics, you can catch a ferry w/ or w/o car from Seattle and they have more eco-systems than any other place in the US. Great trails and the camp sites aren't too crowded- Lake Quinalt is great. Or Yellowstone, with all the critters and so many beautiful sites, but make sure you get off the main road and do a little hiking, less than 3% of folks who visit the park do and it is wonderful. I like the west enterance best, you would get there via Bozeman MT and then the gallitan hwy.

Cities are great, but you gotta do the national parks in the southwest! Especially Utah! Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, and Arches are a must! There are some tour companies that can help you see multiple parks in a week or two. I've been on a few, but my favorite was Adventurebus. They travel at night while you sleep on the bus (in beds) That way you get to see so many places in a short time! Good Luck!!!

He really does need to see Yellowstone. There's no place like it in the world. Maybe New York, Yellowstone, and San Franciso...

My European friends have been to Niagra Falls, NYC, DC, Philadelphia, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Wash. state, San Fran, LA. There favorite place in all of the US was LAS VEGAS!!!! You might want to include that destination in your tour. I also think that if he wants to see New Orleans and this is a once in a lifetime trip, go. If you do Nyc, New Orleans and Vegas, you might want to do a national park or something more relaxed so he gets a taste of the real USA, not just over the top USA! I am jealous, have fun!!