Top 3 American Cities (from a visitor perspective)
Jan 18th, 2005 | 01:42 AM
#34
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,641
Likes: 0
Living in Europe, I've learned a lot about what Europeans want to see in the U.S. For the French, the top picks seem to be NYC, San Francisco, and Las Vegas, with a side trip to the Grand Canyon. The Brits like NYC, Las Vegas (everyone loves the new slogan: what happens here, stays here) and Orlando.
The Europeans I've met weren't planning to go to Chicago. But when sent there for a convention, they come back LOVING the city. One of my Italian colleagues made her first visit there in November. She kept saying, this city is such a gift, it's so wonderful, I want to move here!
Philadelphia surprises them--it's more European than they expected (which they appreciate, but on the other hand, it makes the city less of a draw for a repeat visit--they can get Europe at home). Older Brits enjoy driving trips through New England, especially during leaf peaping season. Connecticut is a surprisingly big draw for Brits over the age of 40.
The few Europeans I know who've been to Texas found San Antonio boring (they don't get into the Alamo and think River Walk all that impressive) and ditto for Dallas, Houston horrible, and Austin interesting for its music scene and hill country, but not worth a repeat visit. For a taste of the West, they'd rather go to Santa Fe.
Many of them have said they "should" visit the Pacific NW, but they just haven't gotten around to it. They're more likely to visit Vancouver and Whistler than Seattle. Whistler is becoming a very hot destination for Europeans, esp. if the snow in the Alps is sub-par.
The Europeans I've met weren't planning to go to Chicago. But when sent there for a convention, they come back LOVING the city. One of my Italian colleagues made her first visit there in November. She kept saying, this city is such a gift, it's so wonderful, I want to move here!
Philadelphia surprises them--it's more European than they expected (which they appreciate, but on the other hand, it makes the city less of a draw for a repeat visit--they can get Europe at home). Older Brits enjoy driving trips through New England, especially during leaf peaping season. Connecticut is a surprisingly big draw for Brits over the age of 40.
The few Europeans I know who've been to Texas found San Antonio boring (they don't get into the Alamo and think River Walk all that impressive) and ditto for Dallas, Houston horrible, and Austin interesting for its music scene and hill country, but not worth a repeat visit. For a taste of the West, they'd rather go to Santa Fe.
Many of them have said they "should" visit the Pacific NW, but they just haven't gotten around to it. They're more likely to visit Vancouver and Whistler than Seattle. Whistler is becoming a very hot destination for Europeans, esp. if the snow in the Alps is sub-par.
Jan 18th, 2005 | 05:08 AM
#39
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
NY, Chicago, LA.
I lived in San Francisco for 10 years but still would have to choose LA for my west coast city. It has more to offer, generally better weather, and I agree with an earlier poster who had the opinion that San Francisco seems to have lost some of its charm. It makes me sad to admit it, but it's very true.
WIth these three cities, you would see the east, midwest and west. Personally I would prefer New Orleans to Chicago for a vacation, but it's such a crazy place that I'm not sure it's representative of the US, if that's the goal.
I lived in San Francisco for 10 years but still would have to choose LA for my west coast city. It has more to offer, generally better weather, and I agree with an earlier poster who had the opinion that San Francisco seems to have lost some of its charm. It makes me sad to admit it, but it's very true.
WIth these three cities, you would see the east, midwest and west. Personally I would prefer New Orleans to Chicago for a vacation, but it's such a crazy place that I'm not sure it's representative of the US, if that's the goal.
