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Original poster

People who have been all around America

117 replies

Fgowfms · 18/12/2025 18:28

Where was your favourite place? I've only ever done the east coast. I liked Washington DC. NYC was too crowded. I went this summer but I probably won't go to the US again for a few years.

If you've been all around. Tell me about it however. If you lived and worked there what was it like?

OP posts:
WinterStrls · 19/12/2025 09:31

@SabrinaThwaite I was surprised to see someone mention Big Bend I know it well great place fab community but this was a few years back. Some great nights at the Starlight Theatre & tacos in mexico taking the little boat across the river.

I’ve spent time in Texas, the Colorado ski towns and the national parks in Utah. Some incredible natural places such as shame what trump is doing as my DH has never visited but we won’t go now. Will plan to go to NZ instead as it’s another fab place if your into outdoor sports & being in the natural environment.

SabrinaThwaite · 19/12/2025 09:45

@WinterStrls When we lived in Texas we had a toddler, so Big Bend wasn’t practical (we did travel a bit in the state, San Antonio, South Padre Island, Galveston etc).

But we went back this year expressly to do Big Bend - we weren’t disappointed! Stayed at Terlingua, although we didn’t do the Starlight, and we might have paddled across the Rio Grande as the level was so low! We’re both geoscientists so love the NPs - we kick the arse out of our America the Beautiful passes.

People who have been all around America
OhDear111 · 19/12/2025 09:52

@cantbearsed27 LV is the worst place by far we have been to. Hot, dirty, trashy and a pastiche. I’m amazed you don’t want to return to other cities. Maybe I’m lucky in that I like arts, iconic buildings, museums and history. There’s so much to see in Washington, for example, you cannot see it in one go.

Vancouver is ok but it’s not Washington. It really depends what you value in a city. Vancouver doesn’t have the depth of interest or iconic buildings and certainly has a drug scene! I think if people do not appreciate the major attractions a city is offering then you might as well go anywhere. I agree British Columbia is great and we’ve sailed around the Great Bear Rainforest, but in terms of things to see and do in a city, Vancouver is attractive but not first class world city.

I’d certainly recommend any National Park in the USA and we went to Yellowstone, Estes and Grand Teton in early summer this year. Trump is an issue but no one will notice if the Brits don’t show up to be honest. Everywhere is busy. However, we found people wanted to talk to us about Trump - to say how awful he is and how ashamed they were. As a Brit I was happy to listen. I don’t see how a boycott helps people keep their jobs in the parks either. I’d go and support them not turn away.

MissConductUS · 19/12/2025 09:54

RitaIncognita · 19/12/2025 02:27

I'm American and lucky enough to have traveled throughout most of the country. I grew up in coastal Georgia, and the lowcountry cities of Savannah and Charleston are still among my favorites.

An area of the country that often gets little notice in threads like these is Western New York. It's a beautiful part of the state, and the people are very welcoming and friendly. It's dotted with many interesting and picturesque small towns. It is also home to the Chautauqua institution, a major cultural center.

Also an American/New Yorker. I agree on Western NYS. The Corning Museum of Glass is fabulous.

Sskka · 19/12/2025 10:03

ApplesinmyPocket · 19/12/2025 09:06

Over several years from 2015 onwards, I and my daughters took 5 of the long-distance Amtrak trains from East Coast to West, and up the west coast from LA .to Seattle (and vice versa.) It was absolutely the highlight of my life, and we got to see so much of America! So many states and such incredibly varied scenery, from the vastness of the mid-west with its tiny towns and huge landscapes, to some of the big cities.

Funnily enough, we never got to New York and I don't regret that, but Boston, Chicago and San Francisco were all amazing in their different ways (we stayed overnight at each, with my favourite by far being San Francisco, such a pretty place with flowers and hills and views over the Bay and a real holiday feel with te Embarcadero and fish and chips on the front there (seagulls, tho!!!) and at the time it had a wonderful shopping mall (since sadly closed, alas) once you got away from the Bay area. (As others have said, I hear it has gone downhill since those days, which is a huge shame.)

I wouldn't call it a cheap holiday exactly, but the trains themselves are very good value. The California Zephyr went through some amazing landscapes (Rockies, Colorado river) and I think, cost about $400 for the entire journey of thousands of miles. Mind you, that was our first trip and we unwisely thought we could spend three nights in 'Coach' - they have pretty decent, spacious seats which recline, and blankets handed out etc. It was hard on our backs though, so we always had sleepers after that at considerably greater cost, but well worth it, and came with the bonus of included (excellent!) meals. I felt well looked after on those trains - each coach has its own attendant who fills up the coffee early in the morning and doesn't take any nonsense from passengers. BIG glass Observation car like a lounge, with swivelling seats and amazing views both sides, on every train.

Gosh, this is long, sorry! But as you can see from this map, if it posts readably, it's a cheapish and fun way to see as many states and cities and towns and landscapes as you can.

I love that but it’s sad to see how gutted their rail network is. Though I do find it hilarious to see it set out like it’s the tube map and you’re hopping around London.

”Excuse me, I’m trying to get to Kansas City?”
“Well what you wanna do, right, you wanna take the sunset and change at LA, yeah? But there was a broken-down train at El Paso earlier you might wanna take the silver star and change at Chicago, your call”

Knittedfrog · 19/12/2025 17:29

I’ve visited all over. My favourites are New York, Boston and Rhode Island.

twiddleit · 19/12/2025 17:53

I’ve done quite a bit and Maine is definitely my favourite. HATED New York, Boston good, Seattle was interesting. But definitely Maine.

OhDear111 · 19/12/2025 23:22

@twiddleit Why would you hate NY? So much to see and do. Iconic art galleries, vistas, buildings and museums. What is hate based on as it’s a world renown city? Too many people? Cost?

mathanxiety · 20/12/2025 02:52

Shoutout for the Midwest - Michigan, Wisconsin, Chicago, and the Great Lakes in general. Minnesota is also really nice.

scottishthistle77 · 20/12/2025 04:20

ApplesinmyPocket · 19/12/2025 09:06

Over several years from 2015 onwards, I and my daughters took 5 of the long-distance Amtrak trains from East Coast to West, and up the west coast from LA .to Seattle (and vice versa.) It was absolutely the highlight of my life, and we got to see so much of America! So many states and such incredibly varied scenery, from the vastness of the mid-west with its tiny towns and huge landscapes, to some of the big cities.

Funnily enough, we never got to New York and I don't regret that, but Boston, Chicago and San Francisco were all amazing in their different ways (we stayed overnight at each, with my favourite by far being San Francisco, such a pretty place with flowers and hills and views over the Bay and a real holiday feel with te Embarcadero and fish and chips on the front there (seagulls, tho!!!) and at the time it had a wonderful shopping mall (since sadly closed, alas) once you got away from the Bay area. (As others have said, I hear it has gone downhill since those days, which is a huge shame.)

I wouldn't call it a cheap holiday exactly, but the trains themselves are very good value. The California Zephyr went through some amazing landscapes (Rockies, Colorado river) and I think, cost about $400 for the entire journey of thousands of miles. Mind you, that was our first trip and we unwisely thought we could spend three nights in 'Coach' - they have pretty decent, spacious seats which recline, and blankets handed out etc. It was hard on our backs though, so we always had sleepers after that at considerably greater cost, but well worth it, and came with the bonus of included (excellent!) meals. I felt well looked after on those trains - each coach has its own attendant who fills up the coffee early in the morning and doesn't take any nonsense from passengers. BIG glass Observation car like a lounge, with swivelling seats and amazing views both sides, on every train.

Gosh, this is long, sorry! But as you can see from this map, if it posts readably, it's a cheapish and fun way to see as many states and cities and towns and landscapes as you can.

In the late 90’s, while at uni, I spent the summer working in an ice-cream parlour in Ocean City MD, then travelled around using a cheap travel pass (got through the Work America scheme) that allowed us to book tickets on any Amtrak train on the east side of America for 3wks. We went to Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Memphis, New Orleans, Florida, Boston (36hr train journey!), Niagara Falls and back to New York. Traveling by train was amazing, we saw so much! We particularly loved going through the swamps, spotting alligators, in the journey between New Orleans and Orlando. Even just traveling through all the small towns, with the level crossings and stations on the side of the tracks was fantastic to see.

New Orleans was my favourite place by far. Travelling on the street cars, Bourbon Street, the music, going on a paddle steamer down the Mississippi. Simply amazing!

Sadly I think my days of holidays abroad are over, and even if they weren’t, I certainly wouldn’t be going anywhere near America while big orange twat-face is in charge. But I’ve got my memories.

CaptainBluebell · 20/12/2025 04:25

I lived in Miami for 20y. I love the Florida Keys, but it depends when you go, they’re a lot busier now than they used to be. I love North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee, they’re less touristy. If you’re wanting West, then Northern California I’d very nice.

Original poster
Fgowfms · 20/12/2025 07:53

Isn't Chicago terribly dangerous?

OP posts:
HollyhockDays · 20/12/2025 08:00

I’ve been to NY, Boston, Cape Cod, Atlanta, LA, Seattle, Portland, SF, Albuquerque, Washington. All very different. I really loved Cape Cod. Washington is fascinating but I found it a bit soulless. West Coast also lovely.

dabdab · 20/12/2025 08:33

Well, I am sure there are unsafe places, but I grew up in the US (in one of the named states) and didn’t start locking my house or car door until I came to the UK. I felt very safe when I was there - however it was very rural. I do also feel very safe here as well, happily! It just depends on where you go.

OhDear111 · 20/12/2025 08:45

@FgowfmsNo! I would say some people using the transit system are on drugs m.addicts and it’s obvious, but Uber exists. I’ve no idea where you would go and feel unsafe. Al Capone isn’t there now. Not going means you miss out on supberb buildings and the earliest skyscrapers. The street art installations, Art Institite and the Frank Lloyd Wright homes are superb. Like any city you need to keep your wits about you but it’s more relaxed than NY and there’s many reasons to go.

Original poster
Fgowfms · 20/12/2025 08:52

OhDear111 · 20/12/2025 08:45

@FgowfmsNo! I would say some people using the transit system are on drugs m.addicts and it’s obvious, but Uber exists. I’ve no idea where you would go and feel unsafe. Al Capone isn’t there now. Not going means you miss out on supberb buildings and the earliest skyscrapers. The street art installations, Art Institite and the Frank Lloyd Wright homes are superb. Like any city you need to keep your wits about you but it’s more relaxed than NY and there’s many reasons to go.

Oh okay. I just hear the area around the University of Chicago is dangerous. But apparently "the Loop" is nice

OP posts:
boulevardofbrokendreamss · 20/12/2025 08:52

Vail for snow, Estes Park in summer. Both CO. Hate SF and not a mad fan of NYC.

Original poster
Fgowfms · 20/12/2025 09:01

I asked about living as well because I don't think I'd like it to be there too long.

Only 10 days of annual leave. And yes I'd be scared about getting shot.

OP posts:
AFingerofFudge · 20/12/2025 09:12

I’d recommend Arizona and Utah - the national parks are amazing but as others have said, there are a lot of changes on the way for tourists.
Another time we flew into Boston and spent a few days there and then drove up the East Coast stopping at all the small towns and Arcadia National Park. Definitely recommend that too.
Also loved San Diego; that was unexpected as I wasn’t primarily there as a tourist but I loved it.

And @canklesmctacotitscan I just say I love your user name Grin

FerrisWheelsandLilacs · 20/12/2025 09:18

Big Sur (California), Acadia (Maine), Las Vegas (Nevada) and San Antonio/Waco/Austin (Texas) are probably the places we’d head back to first, but we have a long list that we’ve not made it to yet.

Coastal Maine if I had to pick one.

OhDear111 · 20/12/2025 12:26

@FgowfmsWhy would anyone shoot you? I’d suggest USA isn’t a good idea for you if you think that.

Original poster
Fgowfms · 20/12/2025 15:52

OhDear111 · 20/12/2025 12:26

@FgowfmsWhy would anyone shoot you? I’d suggest USA isn’t a good idea for you if you think that.

Robbery? Idk. People say all sorts of stuff about America and why'd never visit.

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 20/12/2025 18:24

Fgowfms · 20/12/2025 08:52

Oh okay. I just hear the area around the University of Chicago is dangerous. But apparently "the Loop" is nice

Show quote history

Hyde Park itself is lovely.

The west side of Washington Park (a really big park west of the campus and hospital) is not a good area. Stick to Hyde Park and you'll be fine.

The various museum campuses along the lakefront are all well worth a visit. You can take an Uber or Lyft to avoid figuring out busses and walking too far (it gets really hot in summer and very cold in winter).

The Loop is nice but areas just outside the Loop are lovely - Lincoln Park, South Loop, Near North, Gold Coast - you can check crime stats by neighborhood (the city is divided into named neighborhoods). Avoid Austin, Garfield Park, and Englewood.

mathanxiety · 20/12/2025 18:32

Fgowfms · 20/12/2025 07:53

Isn't Chicago terribly dangerous?

Honestly, no.

The vast majority of Chicago is very safe and lovely to visit. The architecture in the downtown area is stunning, but the Victorian residential architecture is also eye catching.

The food scene is fab. Same goes for theater, music of all kinds from house to jazz and blues to rock to the world renowned Chicago Symohony Orchestra, and there's all the art your heart could hope or wish for.

You can hop on a local train (Green Line L) and see the Frank Lloyd Wright district in Oak Park, or take a regional train (Metra) and head out of the city to hike in a forest or explore little old towns like Geneva.

The lakefront and city beaches are lovely and easily accessible.

FalseSpring · 20/12/2025 18:32

Vermont and New England are my favourites, followed by Colorado. Unlike others I didn't enjoy Texas particularly but probably because of the weather - just too hot for me. I'm an outdoor person and prefer cooler climates.