Other US cities 'better' than New York

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Inspired by another thread. I've never really fancied New York, although I'd probably go one day just because of the hype. However, I'd love to do some other US cities first. Can anyone recommend where to go?

I absolutely love NYC, it can’t be beaten for me, but I was surprised by how much I liked DC and I also really enjoyed my time in Philadelphia.

I love Seattle, such a fun city, very walkable and you're in reach of Mt Rainier and the Olympic Penninsula. Austin, Phoenix and Portland OR are also cool if you like the alternative vibe.

Chicago is great for museums, attractions and shopping. Most of the downtown attractions are within walkable distance of one another.

If I was picking one non-New York city though (and I haven't been there yet!) it would be New Orleans.

Adding San Antonio to the list - Texas but with a bit of a European vibe. In fact Texas as a whole is fascinating - pretty much the size of a small continent in its own right, hence the variety.

There is no 'perfect city' but there is something for everyone but it is hard to pinpoint 'your one' without trying out several cities for yourself. Inevitably, you may come home feeling lukewarm about some US holidays more than others. I don't think the suggestions of other people are all that meaningful. The US is like a big group of countries stuck together and many US residents have never visited more than a few states in their lives. Popular cities will offer completely different experiences to door-to-door taxi passengers staying in five star hotels than budget travelers using public transport. Even then, there are absolutely no guarantees. I smh at the suggestion in the other thread about going to San Francisco instead of New York to avoid screaming, drugged up people with mental health problems .. and that was based on staying in a swanky place in Fisherman's Wharf.

Personally, I love Sedona right now.

Chicago, DC, Charleston, Boston, Denver, New Orleans, in that order are my favourites. San Francisco I thought was a dump but there’s lots of decent stuff in that area I suppose. Miami was meh. Nashville reminded me of somewhere like Magaluf but with country music, was a bit of a laugh when I lived within driving distance but if I’d flown from the U.K. I’d be really disappointed. We also met a disproportionate number of men from Boston that had been dragged there on bachelor parties and were on the listen out for non southern accents so that they could bitch about how much they were hating it. Next on my list are Savannah and Salt Lake City.

I haven’t been to a US city that I didn’t like, tbh- NYC, Boston, DC, Philadelphia, Austin and San Antonio- all have charms, and of course, aspects that aren’t so nice.

In fact, I can’t think of anywhere that I’ve ever travelled that I didn’t enjoy, I must be easily pleased :). I think expectations may play a big part in it, we’d been told horror stories about how awful Philadelphia was, but I was just totally wowed by the history. It’s a fantastic city.

Austin is great fun if you like good food and live music (although who knows how much is going on currently). I would love to go to Phoenix too. Would second Miami - only been there briefly but it was really fun.

I like Chicago and Washington. Chicago has fabulous architecture and museums, Washington not so much architecture but again wonderful museums. Both very walkable too.

@ShirleyPhallus

New Orleans is all you will ever need, no other city comes close

I had wanted to go to New Orleans for ages, but the reality wasn't as great. It was expensive, and we never felt safe.

We liked Boston, and loved San Francisco, but we visited them both a long time ago, and I hear that San Francisco is pretty scary these days.

Chicago - so, so fun. I think I’ve been maybe 7 ties.

DC - incredible, just so beautiful and great if you are a nerd. We love Old Towne, Alexandria, the metro area, all of it!

Charleston & Savannah - classic, timeless, elegant, beautiful.

New Orleans, so fun and you MUST stay at the Monteleone!

Austin - gorgeous gorgeous city. Amazing river walks.

Minneapolis St Paul - love the art gallery & the bar scene.

I really like the Midwest but you have to make an effort to get there. Hell, I even like Milwaukee

Houston is also fun, as is Shreveport. Oh and Pensacola. We loved it there.

The smaller towns in New England are lovely. We particularly liked Weston in Vermont. Salem is a brilliant place to visit as well. There is so much history.

Boston or Austin, TX. Or San Diego actually.

Sorry that you felt like that @RampantIvy, I’ve been several times (mardi gras, jazz fest etc) and have felt really safe there. There are dodgy areas like anywhere but the garden district for example is SO beautiful. Bourbon street so much fun and Frenchman one of my favourite places on earth

If you’ve been to Minnesota can you tell me what it’s like please?

New York is amazing and nowhere else comes close. However each US city that I’ve visited has had its own individual feel, so it’s like comparing apples and pears. San Diego is my west coast favourite.

I haven’t been myself, but friends and family rave about Seattle. I like Boston.

Boston and Washington on the East coast
San Francisco on the West.

It depends what you're looking for and what your transport situation will be.

I lived near Boston for a year. It's a lovely city. Freezing cold in the winter months though. It's very easy to get around on public transport.
Lots to see, especially if you're interested in the Kennedys. You could also visit Rhode Island or drive out to the Cape.

Salt Lake City is really cool and friendly. The LDS stuff fascinates me.

Washington DC is endlessly fascinating and might be a good shout.

Best for me of the big cities is Los Angeles. I absolutely love California so would try and travel around the state if I were you.

Other cities eg. Boise, Des Moines, St Paul/Minneapolis, Omaha, Fargo, Milwaukee, Dallas, Portland, etc are really nice but as part of longer road trips.

Cities I am not keen on: New York, Chicago and Seattle.

@StoatMilk I've only been to Minnesota in summer months but I absolutely LOVE it!
My favourite thing to do was go swimming in Lake Itasca.

Vote Seattle. New Orleans is fun but feels a bit in need of a scrub.

Well I love NYC, but I also love Chicago very much. Fantastic parks, galleries and museums, public art and food. It's fantastic. I've also never been anywhere quite like Miami, there's something about the climate and the beach life and the people/mix of cultures that's fascinating to me.

[quote Liverbird77]@StoatMilk I've only been to Minnesota in summer months but I absolutely LOVE it!
My favourite thing to do was go swimming in Lake Itasca.[/quote]
Sounds great @Liverbird77
I would love to visit Paisley Park in Chanhassen and the Arboretum in Chaska, oh and the Mall of America.

Not San Francisco, the homeless problem is appalling and downright scary (don’t think you can walk through the centre during the day!)

Agree Chicago is good.

Seattle. It's Sydney without the sun. Part of the fun is travelling between places by ferry.

I really like San Francisco

It is expensive and even in summer can get very chilly

San Diego is a nice city but not particularly interesting.