Why do people come here to the U.S.?
 

Just kidding...kind of. I think of us Americans always trying to escape to somewhere with beautiful architecture or old world charm like European cities. Why do you Europeans come to the U.S.? Do you ever go to Walmart when you are here? What's the strangest thing you've ever seen here in America?

KimikoPi
I recently spent 5 days in Dallas,came to see the JFK museum , Dealey Plaza etc.
The strangest thing that I saw was a pub in Fort Worth called the Fox and Hounds,it was supposed to be an English pub but was nothing like one!!They even had carpets with pictures of foxes and hounds on them,by the way foxhunting is now illegal in England with packs of hounds!!
It was my first time in the USA and was an interesting experience

A lot people that live in the US travel around the US. There is a lot to see in the US without going to Europe and is more convienent. As far as natural wonders, the US has some of the best. You can find some beautiful architecture also in the US. Washington DC, IMO has a old world charm to it because most of the building are built out of stone, even though the building are newer. Still, Europe's strength is the old world charm, but we have the Grand Canyon, Denali, Yellowstone, Yosemite and many other beautiful national parks. Yes, the alps are pretty, but if you go to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, it is just like the Alps and better and you have Yellowstone 60 miles to the north. The strangest thing I have ever seen in America is a UFO, sort of, more a glowing light rising out of a valley, but very strange, had not seen anything like it before.

I am from Canada and in a word - Target!

No seriously, we travel to Key Biscayne, Florida in the winter to get a respite from the cold, and love Cape Cod in the summer because of the proximity to the ocean and the activities it has to offer, plus the clam shacks!

We come to the states for the wonderful nature and the diversity of it.The vastness of it is very impressive.In our country I dont think we will be able to drive in our cars due to the ever increasing traffic in 10 years time.In one of my travel guides there's a quote saying "America is a country with a lot of geography and little culture". When we live in the shadow of a gothic cathedral you're not impressed any more visiting most US cities.We love the National parks and the feeling of freedom in this majestic nature.We also visit the history of the Native indians and the history of the country: revolution-civil war sites.We went to Wal marts once to buy one of those small(six pack)boxes where you can put your drinks in and keep the cool while travelling. Paul

Europeans come to the US because they have buying power, too. ;;)

Perhaps they like visiting a place where people assume their accent is a sign they are cultured, educated, and capable of pairing wine with asparagus.

At home he might be known as the London Sun reading Chav, but here in the US he is viewed as "thisclose" to the Royal Family.

I hate hate hate it when people say that the US has no culture. It is completely and totally untrue.....
The fact is that as a country it is so vast, that there are many cultures exisiting at once (southern, western, new england, etc).....

Believe it or not, there are some wonderful sights to see here in the U.S. I am a HUGE fan of the Travel Channel, especially Taste of America. It's interesting to see how people in other states live. I think Europeans come to the U.S. for the same reason we go to Europe: to see how we live, to taste our foods, to shop, to sightsee, and to relax. Did you get a chance to watch Oprah when she and Gayle drove across America? It was a true eye opener. It made me want to start planning a cross country trip. The last time I did something like that was when I was a little girl traveling with my family. Those are memories (good, bad, funny, and sad) that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Hopefully I will be able to do the same with my own family.

Personally, I don't care for Walmart and I choose not to shop there. However, if I'm visiting another city/state and that is all that I can find for small incidentals, then I will go there.

It doesn't bother me so much when non-Americans insist that the US has 'no culture.' What bothers me more is when non-Americans insist that they do.

Hello.
My wife and I have been visiting the US at least twice a year since our first visit in 1992. We have travelled the east coast, the west coast and Vegas to Miami via all states in between.
The US folks are friendly, the food is excellent (and cheap - so is gas) and it's such a diverse country.
We'd love to live there but can't - visa, green card etc..
The scenery is outstanding but we do find it a little quirky that something which is dated about 1700 is viewed as being historical. To we Brits that's pretty modern. Our local pub was built in 1520. Couldn't quite make sense of the Alamo- big defeat, Mexicans got their land back, but the US people celebrate the event. Also the Bunker Hill battle which wasn't at Bunker Hil and the ride to Concorde, which didn't take place. Maybe it's the same as the Brits and the Charge of the Light Brigade? Not poking fun at the US. I have too much respect - and one other thing- the US is (generally) much cleaner than Britain. We have trash everywhere. I detest London because of that.
Back to the US again in June. Haven't been there since February. Love it, love it.
So we'll keep visiting

"... we do find it a little quirky that something which is dated about 1700 is viewed as being historical."

What's the difference between N. Americans and Europeans?

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N. Americans think 100 years is a long time, Europeans think 100 miles is a long distance.

:)

LOL - Shelli - isn't that the truth!

Great post will be interesting to read the different responses:

DavidBailey - Liked your post and was very surprised to hear about the cleanliness part. I just always pictured London(never been) as this pristine, polite, proper place as are it's residents. We get many Brits in my hometown (Orlando) and they are for the most part very nice and polite.

ShelliDawn - great post!!

Dabber - No disrespect, but just curious why of all the places in the US, you decided to visit Dallas. It is just not high on the tourist radar and is not considered a vacation destination.

Europeans, bring on your responses.

gmoney
if you read my post again I did say that I went to Dallas to see the JFK stuff,I found it more interesting to see a slice of ordinary everyday American life rather than join all the other Brits in Orlando(no insult meant to your hometown as I am sure that it is very nice)or New York.

OK, David, here's more US history than you ever wanted to know.

The Alamo is sort of the US answer to the Greeks at Thermopylae. Even though the rebel Texans were defeated by an overwhelming force, they managed to delay the Mexican army long ehough to allow the rebel forces to regroup under Sam Houston and eventually win independence.
You say 1700 is old to Americans? Heck, 1950 is old to most Americans.
Bunker Hill and Concord fall into the category of "never let the facts stand in the way of a good story."
Enjoy your visit(s).

My international guests are always amazed at how friendly and hospitable people are in the US.
Man made things are great... but the US and Canada are blessed with some of the best natural beauty in the world.

I've assumed that many people, especially Europeans, travel to the U.S. for our wide open country vistas. Also for the big cities, especially on each coast. Thanks for posting this interesting question. I get so tired of American-bashing that it's good to hear what people like about us and our country. I think we're pretty nice here!
:)>-

gmoney... Dallas/Texas not a tourist destination? You are kidding, right? Ever heard of the Dallas Cowboys? The Southfork Ranch? The JFK Musuem at Dealey Plaza? SMU? The Cotton Bowl? Don't forget to stop at the Dallas World Aquarium and the Museum of Modern Art. On your 25-minute drive to Fort Worth, make a stop at Lone Star Park for some great horse-racing. Then to Arlington for the beautiful Rangers Ballpark and Six Flags Over Texas (as well as the future home of the Dallas Cowboys). And another 15-mt-ride from there to beautiful Bass Hall and Sundance Square in Fort Worth, TCU, the fine Fort Worth Zoo, not to mention the Amon Carter and Kimbell art museums (two of the finest in America). Don't forget the best display of spring wildflowers anywhere in the US: bluebonnets, black-eyed susans, winecups, coriopsis, indian paintbrush, etc. Come find out for yourself. The Dallas metroplex, as well as Texas as a whole, has a lot to see and do. (And we don't have to shovel anything in the winter!) :)

I live 20 miles north of New York City and it always gets to me when people want to come visit, especially in the summer when it is hot. I dream of the beach.........I find New York City hot and very dirty. Hotel rooms are small and cost a fortune..
To each his own......LOL

But Sarge, the tourists in Dallas are for the most part, Oklahomans, not World Travelers.

Sarge, I was not saying that there was anything wrong with Dallas but it is not usually high on the list of US vacation destinations. Especially for foreign visitors.(not that there's anything wrong with that). I'm sure that there are many interesting things to do in Dallas but its not generally known as a Destination vacation.

Folks, if you click on dabber's screen name, you'll find that his question about what to do in Dallas drew 289 responses. Mind you, for a while some folks were debating statistics, but there is a lot of info in there about what there is to do.

I had to giggle when I read your heading! I live in a tourist/vacation spot and I ask myself the same questions about the little town of Hot Springs, Arkansas! Why would anyone come want to visit! Hot Springs is a charming little town situated in beautiful mountain, surrounded by lakes to fish and ski, a race horse track to lose you money, quaint shopping, have hosted gangsters, and early major league baseball training, and can say we gave the world Bill Clinton. I live here and I'm always making plans to travel in other places!!
Seriously, I have friends from Europe who love to come here to eat! I had one British gentlemen I sat next to on a flight from Chicago that he loves the states for the food. He loves his local alcohol libation, but give him USA food!

Dabber, you make a good point. There's something in Dallas that attracted your interest, and you apparently found some othr things to do. Yes, I read your Dallas thread.

I'll agree with the poster who said that Dallas is not a vacation destination like Las Vegas or Orlando, or Boston or San Francisco. And I agree that the city is not well known. I have met very few people who have an accurate image of what it is, or what it has. But we are a geographically ignorant people. Blame the media, I guess.

And I'll agree with Sarge that the Dallas area has many things to entertain a tourist...

But why do foreigners, especially Europeans visit Texas and Dallas? Obviously to see something different, something out of their ordinary experience.

This summer I became acquainted with a young Australian farmer at a Goethe Institute in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, who has traveled to various strange places in America, among them Oklahoma City, to see where Timothy McVeigh bombed the Murrah Building and to the place in Louisiana where Bonnie and Clyde shot it out with the cops.

He also traveled to Stalingrad to see where the Russians defeated the German army. He said the cab drivers and passport officials were very puzzled about why he would visit Stalingrad.

Come to think of it, so am I.

We visit the gulf coast as often as we can for the weather & beaches, 2 weeks guaranteed sun. We live in the cold, rainy north of England where we are lucky to get 2 consecutive days of sun. We love many parts of the US, great scenery, friendly people, drivings a doddle. We did find it amusing though when we tried to find 'Historic Englewood' and we were told we were in it! My garden shed looked older. Luckily we have France, Italy etc on our doorstep for quick weekends of culture.

Hey Dabber, be honest, what did you REALLY think of Dallas and the US? Sorry to put you on the spot, but I'm curious.

OMG! I just read through all the posts and poor Dabber is getting it again because of his choice to visit Dallas as his 1st US destination. I was a frequent poster on his original thread and believe me, it became hot and heavy at times. Dallas is a little controversial to say the least!

My fanstasy is to write a US guidebook for European travelers, but I think it would fail miserably. I'll never forget the time my husband and I met and Indian guy who was bringing his parents to the US for the first time and their top destinations were Orlando and Las Vegas. HELLO!!! Let's face it fellow Americans, there's nothing like those cities anywhere else in the world. Personally I can't stand either place (Orlando is a periodic obligatory with my 4 kids) but both places are unique, regardless of your taste. Admit it!

I just had a brainstorm...I'm going to start a thread for the top 5 US must-sees for foreign travelers. It's probably been done before, but what the heck.

The USA has something for everyone. We have been visiting since the early eighties and have been to at least 20 states. We have enjoyed every one. The people are great and always happy to meet someone from the "Mother Country". We find the history fascinating, all cultures descending on a new land, the Pilgrim Fathers creating the first 13 colonies and the War of Independence where the new settlers broke away from the British taxes (good for them). We loved Arizona, with it's stunning scenery, then the bright lights and fun of Vegas in Nevada. We loved Tennessee, Memphis with its music and 50's feel. Graceland, Sun studios and all the memories of Elvis. We then moved on to Nashville for a week, then over the Smoky mountains, breathtaking!We loved California with all it's movie connections, but our favourite state is Florida. Not just Orlando, (but I must have my "Mickey fix" each time we go,) but the wonderful beaches of the Gulf coast and of course the Keys. If you want architecture, go to St. Augustine where there are European style buildings with a Spanish and British influence.I could go on all day,but I think you get the picture. The US is great, be proud. As for Walmart,of course we visit, you can always rely on it for those essentials. The strangest thing I have ever seen in the US was a frail old lady,at least 80 years old, roller skating (very slowly) through Central Park in New York. Brilliant!! Must go, as we are packing to go to Florida, then it's New England in June.

I have seen quite a bit of the States over the years, and enjoy simply that it is "different" to either Australia or the UK where I am originally from. Our last trip was to ski as the ski fields for the most are rubbish in Oz and we had a terrific time in Steamboat. Can't say I would come to the States for the food, sorry guys, even though we did have some great meals, however we paid a fair wack for the "good" food. (also gotta love the way you guys do ribs, yum yum yum)

What we found amusing was to visit Walmart and find that they actually sold guns and ammunition and that the counter was adjacent to the childrens toy department. Surely,the saying only in America, has to come to mind, but I don't know, maybe this happens elsewhere in the world and I am living in total ignorance. Anyway, USA has so much to offer in the way of national parks and lots of activities. I am still wanting to see the New England states in Autumn, oh well one day maybe.

DavidBaily, thank you and everyone else for your good words about the US. I regret that you cannot live here if that is your wish.

About the Alamo: In addition to what j 999 9 said, in the battle of the Alamo Texas lost just over 100 men, while the Mexicans lost about 2,500. It was not a defeat for Texas. :-)

Schnauzer, Do you not have Guns in Australia, or do you not have Wal*Marts?

When our friends from France came to visit us (we live in the Chicagoland area) they marveled at how new our homes were. They loved the whole subdivision thing. "Where we come from, everything is so old." I had to smile at that--that's exactly why my husband and I travel to where they live, to see their living history.

We do have some of the best national parks. If you ever hike the Grand Canyon, you will see a lot of foreigners. The Americans will be riding the muels.

I remember talking to a tour director in Australia. He had a bunch of Americans on a previous tour. He spent several days showing them the national parks in Australia. The comments from the American's were, The Grand Canyon is bigger, Yellowstone is more beautiful, etc. Finally, a kangaroo hopped by and the American's said, "Now we don't have anything like that in the States."

Sarge56, Having read your post about Dallas, I think you can shovel it with the best of 'em. nothing wrong with being a homer. Woody

Sharone, are you implying that we ain't got culchah? !!!! LOL

crefloors, that's Kulcher with a capitol K!

Woodysagoodboy... I am a native Chicagoan and will just as proudly tell you about the incredible city it is and all of its wonderful attractions. I've also lived in Tennessee, S.Carolina, N.Carolina and Nevada. And I suppose I would tell you about each of the wonderful things in those places, too. My point is that each place in our country does indeed have its' own charms. Having lived here for almost 20 years, I just get tired of people bashing Texas. My siblings also don't visit because they believe all the hype they see in the media, and think of Texans as some of the most ignorant people in the country. Well, those folks are everywhere. And I certainly don't think that a couple of poorly-spoken "Texans" represent the population as a whole. Most "natives" here are friendly, warm and bright (think of U of T, Texas A&M, Rice University, SMU, TCU, UNT and Texas Tech- we probably have over a quarter million college students in this state alone). One of my siblings who is an avid outdoors person finally came to Texas last year to hike the Guadalupe Mountains out west. She has hiked in over 50 national parks and she said she had to change her favorite now from Utah's Bryce Canyon to the mountains in West Texas! SO>>>those of you who believe the hype...don't. Take advantage of those "weekend fares" that airlines offer. Come for a 3-or4-day weekend. See Dallas/Fort Worth. Austin is wonderful, especially if you're a 30-something. San Antonio is awesome, too. Houston (not in the summer :]) has some fine musuems and is close enough to do Galveston also, which has some wonderful history and beaches. :) Y'ALL COME DOWN NOW, Y'HEAR??? :) :) :)