Wow, that's a new one. I'd understand Hawaii as a top destination, but I've never heard of anyone who would actually put the city of Honolulu in their top three before!!!

There are a few questions in the original post, so let's hit them one at a time:

Where did I visit and have a great time?
1. Miami Beach
2. Chicago
3. New York City

Which cities did I see and I keep going back?
1. Miami Beach
2. San Diego
3. Las Vegas

Which three cities would be my future must-sees, no others allowed?
1. New York City
2. San Francisco
3. Chicago

Of course, I live in southern California, so I've left LA off the list. From an outsider's perspective, LA is a must-see, although it's a huge area that exists more as a concept than an easily-managed geographic location. I can see it anytime, and after nearly 20 years I'm still finding new things.

Now class, which metropolitan area in the central South, with a huge hub airport, has everyone left off their lists? Anyone...? Bueller...?

Patrick - Honolulu has a multitude of things to do besides go to the beach. The historic areas downtown are unique. You can go to the symphony. The Honolulu Academy of Art, the Contemporary Art Museum and the Bishop Museum are all unique in their own ways. You can investigate Chinatown. There are an incredible number of restaurants in Honolulu that serve good food from various cuisines. The air smells good. (and you don't get to see it while you breathe it! :-d as in some other cities named here...)

I have yet to travel to many American cities, but I wanted to top this thread so I'll put in my two cents anyway:

Where do I go to have a great time:
Vegas!!!
Chicago
San Francisco

Which city keeps calling me back:
San Diego (for ten consecutive years)

If I could only visit 3 cities in the future (I haven't been to any of these):
New York
New Orleans
Seattle

Can I add another category?
Least favorite cities:
Detroit
LA (as a long-time San Diego resident I just didn't understand the appeal)
DC (yes, the museums and monuments are cool, but I don't feel comfortable there)

C'mon, Jocelyn,
Those politicians aren't that bad when you get used to them.

This is an interesting question. But I think I'll give it a different viewpoint.

First off, visit NYC because it is NYC. However, NYC is very different from the rest of the USA.

So next I suggest a city that represents what most of us go through in a day. Some place with gridlock like Charlotte, Atlanta, or Phoenix. Strip malls, surburban sprawl, McMansions, etc. Take the visitors to big box stores, let them drive a SUV, let them cuss at drivers weaving in and out of lanes during rush hour traffic.

Then, since you've been in a typical sprawl town, I would send them to a beach town. Any will do, but I like Nags Head or Wrightsville. I haven't been to Cape Cod, but it does sound nice. The opportunity to veg out and stare at the water and forget about traffic.

I won't include Chicago, because the question is from a visitor's perspective, but I think Europeans who come here like it much more than most of the others that they actually have seen first.

I've been to almost all major cities except for those in the Northwest.

To visit for 5 days and not to live there, but if you have never been- these are GOOD to visit:

NYC
San Diego (to me not really a big city)
SF (also not big city to me)


Very good cities to visit also and ones I go back for more:

LV
Miami
NO
Boston

AND if you love baseball:

Kansas City
St. Louis
Milwaukee
Boston
NYC

All these questions from a visitor's viewpoint are comparing places that really are so different that it is a lot like apples and oranges.

Three cities I want to get to in the next 2 years:

DC
Charleston
Seattle

Three is really tough because of the different character of each city. If you are thirsting for history maybe Charleton or Savannah & many other places or if you like wine & beautiful country sides maybe Sonoma, or beaches maybe Honolulu, etc, etc. However, here goes: Chicago - San Diego - Honolulu but we we are speaking mainland only then New Orleans.

Los Angeles
San Francisco
Honolulu

I adore Seattle as a place to live but really don't "get it" as a vacation destination.

suze,

Interesting you say that about Seattle. I have never been, but it's on my short list of places I'd like to see. Places/images that appeal to me:
That big fish market
Space Needle
Whale watching in Puget Sound
The landscape and outdoor activities so close by
Coffeehouse hopping

So many large cities nowadays don't seem to have much to distinguish them from the metropolis next door. In my mind, though, Seattle has a distinct personality, I guess because of the proximity to the water, the weather, and the beautiful landscape. I can't wait to see if for myself!

NYC
Las Vegas
San Francisco

Not fond of LA and got mugged in New Orleans - which as much as I try to not let it colour my view of the city, it does.

Great times in
NYC
Santa Fe (not a big city but still..)
Chicago
Boston
SF
I know there are 5 but how can I eliminate any?

Have to get to:
Seattle
New Orleans

As a New Yorker, glad to see how many of you like my city! Although I guess "a good place to visit but..." may describe many of you right? :)

My top 3 are:
1. Chicago (go every year - getting back to some earlier points I'm always recommending it to Europeans who don't have it on their itinerary!
2. SF
3. DC

I see that Seattle sparked some conversation. While it isn't in my top 3, it is a really fun destination! I spent 2 4 day weekends there over past 2 years and there is a lot to do! Aside from things already mentioned, there is the Bumpershoot music festival over Labor Day weekend, kayaking in the lake, great sunsets, and one of the best hikes I have done in the US (Sunrise - the 10 mile hike)

My top 3 of places I have been to would probably be: NYC, Boston and San Diego. Ask me tomorrow and you may well get a different answer though.

3 places I have not yet seen properly but would like to: Chicago (was only there for 1 day), New Orleans, Seattle.

Pretty much liked most places I've been but I was a bit lukewarm on LA and Orlando.

BIG cities San Francisco, NY & Chicago.. Not so big New Orleans, Sedona & Key West. By my own count, I have been to New Orleans the most followed by San Francisco then Key West.

I'm not sure I stated my Seattle thoughts well. It is truly a unique city, absolutely. After I vacationed here twice, I MOVED here permanently. But it is quality of life and every day experiences that keep me here. If I toured the downtown area on a couple rainy days, I don't think I would be all that impressed with the place.

NYC
New Orleans
Miami

Interesting...

Where did you visit and have a great time?

Actually, the better answer for me would be where did I visit and not have a good time. I've enjoyed almost all the places I've visited, but I could pass on Milwaukee, Houston, and Dallas.

Which cities did you see and you just keep going back, or want to go back for more?

San Fran
Boston (although tied with DC)
New Orleans


If you could only visit 3 american cities in the future, where would you want to go?

I'm presuming this means ones that I haven't been to? They would be:

Chicago
Charleston
Santa Fe

NYC (because I can never get enough); Chicago, (great to visit in the spring and fall); Santa Fe (because it is has a very different feel). I left out SF because I live here.

Can't list just 3. These are my favorites.

1. NYC
2. San Francisco
3. Washington, DC
4. Boston
5. Chicago
6. San Diego
7. Charleston
8. Seattle
9. Savannah
10. New Orleans

Three top picks, in no real order, both for past visits and wanting to go back (or live in, in one case):
--San Francisco
--New Orleans
--Chicago (live here now but was a visitor for many years first)

(runners up are Boston and Portland)

Want to visit in the future:
--Charleston
--Savannah

Top 3 Overall:

New York
Chicago
San Fran

3 Underrated:

Austin
Minneapolis
Portland, OR

NYC, San Francisco, toss-up Boston or Chicago.

For underrated, though, add Philadelphia.

I'm basing mine on the principle that they're like no other place in world:
NYC
Las Vegas
San Francisco

DC is great, and I'm amazed every time I drive downtown, but other cities (like Paris) do museums and government buildings in a small area better. Plus, the downsides of DC are lengthy.

As great as our cities are, I really think that our open spaces and natural phenomenon are an even better draw. Montana and Arizona, for example, are so complex for all they have to offer someone from outside the US.

How come Philadelphia does not get any respect around here. I would pick Phildalphia before Boston. More history, better art museums, and world class restaurants.

Alex - your post made me smile b/c I was just talking about this y-day with someone. I live outside Phila. and I think Boston does most everything better than Phila.

The art museum thing is a toss up - both cities have great art museums. Both have airports that are annoying.

Boston has better sports teams. We haven't won a championship in 20 long, miserable years. (But I like the 76ers way better than the Celtics, so Phila. gets my nod there).

Phila. wins in housing affordability and less traffic, which is why we don't live in Boston. (My husband's company is HQ'd up there). And I think you're probably right that we win in restaurants, too. Haven't done much fine dining in Boston.

Boston wins hands down in surroundings (for when you just wannna get outta town). Their beaches (esp. Cape Cod) are soooo much nicer than NJs. The skiing in VT and NH beats the Poconos.

Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.

I suppose it depends who the visitor is on some level. You might think I'm joking but in some ways, but I pick the following for their *uniqueness* factor.

1.Baltimore, Maryland
2.Laredo, Texas
3.New Orleans, Louisiana

1. Don't go to the Inner Harbor (generic), go instead to the Lexington Market, ride the Metro and walk to Fell's Point. Take the Light Rail and ride "the Bug" bus to Hampden. Likely your eyes will be opened.

2. Walk around the downtown and think the words "this is America too".

3. Unique

Daniel,
Interesting list. New Orleans is on my must-get-to list and I'd like to hear more about Laredo. Baltimore certainly has its charm and atmosphere: Lexington Market is fun, although it's tough to beat the location and activities at Pike Place as a great American market.

My top three:

NYC -- So many reason why it's a must see.

San Francisco -- Like no place else in the world? Absolutely not. After spending a month in Sydney, it's clear that city has the more of the qualities most praise S.F. for. Some could make a case for Vancouver as well. But it's certainly unique in the U.S. (And since I'm married to a 5th-gen San Franciscan, I'm on thin ice here.)

Chicago -- As much as New York says world city, Chicago says American city.

Second tier: DC, Boston, Seattle, San Diego. I'm ready to be convinced about New Orleans as well, but I haven't made it there.

I don't see the ``lengthy'' downsides of DC, however. Terrific tourist city burdened unfortunately by a lot of stereotypes.

1. NEW YORK CITY
2. CHICAGO
3. BOSTON

Runner Ups: San Fran, Philly

OK...I think I could be one of the "Experts" here (very loosely used) BECAUSE I was born in NYC, raised in San Fran, and spent every summer from age 0 to age 18 in New England for summer camp or the Cape or my familia's casa in New HampshAH (to use the local vernacular). My EXPERT[:)] opinion is as follows:

1. SAN FRANCISCO...almost as diverse as NYC, but with a certain European charm and snobbery (but in a good way...it's all about food and wine, baby...so, to paraphrase the movie Sideways, don't order any f---ing Merlot here). And the weather...when it's 2 degrees on the East Coast, SFers snicker that they only need to deal with that sh-t when they're schussing down Red Dog at Squaw in Tahoe.

2. NEW YORK...THE center of the universe (sorry, London, but it is). A pace and energy unlike anywhere on Earth. People unfriendly? BS....they just want you to make up your damn mind. Don't sidle up to the counter at Ray's Pizza at noon and spend 5 minutes deciding what you want on your slice, because, unlike some other, faker towns, the guy behind the counter will actually say, "HURRY UP", to the applause of all the people waiting behind you who need to get back to work!

3. TIE!!! Boston and Seattle, with honorable mention to Chicago.
Bahston...Fenway Pahk, Kenmawh Squawh, Quincy Mahket, the Chahles, the accent alone is fun. Plus, the history!
Seattle...green green green water water water mountains mountains mountains ferries ferries ferries, and NO IT DOESN'T RAIN NEARLY AS MUCH AS CALIFORNIANS SAY (I live here, I know this). Plus, the esteemed NY Times rated this city one of the four "essential" dining scenes in the US, with SF, NY, and Chicago as the other 3.
So, go to all 3...or 4...or 5...and be happy.

no follow-ups?

1- MIAMI-SALSA
2-NEW YORK-CRAZY
3-PHILLY-CHEESESTEAKS AND SPORTS FANS

1. New York City (I never run out of things to see in this place!!!! It's amazing!!)
2. San Francisco (Love all the little sections to explore, and plenty of exercise walking those hills!)

3. 3 way tie- Miami(only been there once, but I found it very interesting and great beaches) and Boston (lots of history) and Newport RI (love those mansions!)

I'm still looking forward to seeing Chicago, and Sante Fe for the first time

I haven't been to too many cities yet, but here's my two cents:

Favorites I've been to:
Las Vegas (too much fun)
San Francisco (lots to see)
Santa Fe (great art)

Want to see:
New Orleans (next year vacation)
Boston
Anchorage(hear it's beautiful)


Will not go back:
Witchita (boring & flat)
Grand Rapids (blah)

I haven't been to too many cities yet, but here's my two cents:

Favorites I've been to:
Las Vegas (too much fun)
San Francisco (lots to see)
Santa Fe (great art)

Want to see:
New Orleans (next year vacation)
Boston
Anchorage(hear it's beautiful)


Will not go back:
Witchita (boring & flat)
Grand Rapids (blah)

I live only 2 hours from NY and live in Philadelphia so I can go anytime.

New York
San Francisco
Santa Fe

Assuming the person is staying a short time on a sizable budget, the top cities are, in my opinion:
1. NY
2. SF
3. DC
4. BOS
5. CHI
6. NO


A longer trip:
1. NY/DC tie
3. LA
4. Miami
5. Hill Country (Austin and San Antonio)
6. BOS/PHI/CHI tie
7. SF

Three cities I despise visiting
1. Atlanta
2. New Orleans
3. Denver

Three cities I love visiting
1. Montreal
2. Charleston, SC
3. Chicago

NYC is a given for great city to visit.

Cities I want to visit
1. Savannah
2. Boston

NYC, Chicago and San Francisco ... would love to live in any of those. Only if I could find a good paying job.

1. Chicago (Underated)
2. New Orleans and Quebec City (French Quarter and Old Quebec are amazing)
3. NYC (New York is New York)