Where to go in the USA for a 5 day city break?

[WhatNextISay]

Would appreciate answers please? East Coast? West Coast? Middle? Only one destination required and not driving so needs to be walkable.

Couldn't care less about politics... people who won't go to America at all don't need to reply.

Thanks

5 days on the west coast means you'll have a very jetlagged holiday. And public transport is rare so not driving is a challenge. San Francisco might work, but I personally don't think it's worth the cost for less than 10days.
New York, Boston, Washington are all good city stays.

5 days, probably East coast to minimise the effects of the time change (if travelling from Europe)...no walking requirement probably means New York would be favourite.

ETA to agree with the previous that Washington and Boston might be also worth consideration, depends a bit on your interests.

Agree that I wouldn't go west coast for 5 days, and of the east coast cities New York is the obvious choice. Boston second choice for me probably, or you could do Washington DC and then Amtrak over to Phillie and do both?

New York city 😀

New York

New York, Washington DC or Chicago.

Another thumbs up for NYC...more than enough to do over 5 days and sooo much fun.

Just to throw an alternative into the mix, especially if you’ve already visited New York, but Miami is a great city. I love South Beach and its art deco architecture, the vintage market, Latin vibe (especially at night), and of course the beach.

Washington is great

Washington - fantastic museums and galleries

If going west, it’s got to be San Francisco 🥰

Some of it depends on the time of year since in the summer months, many places in the US are (as my kids say) stinkin' hot.
I agree with PPs that the length of flight + time zones means that west coast is a really long way to go for a 5 day break.
Also, what counts for public transport in the US can be pretty sparse by non-US standards so you should consider taxis in your budget.

NYC - obvs, for many non-Americans it's the only city
Boston
Philadelphia
Baltimore
DC
Charleston
Savannah
Chicago
New Orleans

If you go eg to Washington DC then you can also go to Boston or New York or Philadelphia by Amtrak. There’s a lot to see in Washington DC but I personally wouldn’t stay 5 days there, 2-3 max. Don’t forget in summer it’s very humid in Washington DC as it’s built on a swamp, they have public transport around it, it’s exhausting to walk long distances.

We loved LA without a car, we just got taxis everywhere. We were told not to use the public transport...

Also SF was wonderful but we did use a car there.

We would like to go back to the vineyard areas and do some tours. That might be an option?

Southern states for example are ridiculously hot, I’ve been in Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans and Mississippi and the latter especially I couldn’t move. Apart from to get up go to the pool and get food and drink.

Boston is a good bet as is Washington DC and New York.

It's not just the southern states @Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain . DD went to NYC with her aunt in June two years ago and they were melting. They would go somewhere and then go back to the hotel to cool off and change clothes.

Boston. It’s a beautiful city with lots to do.

West coast is too far for that duration IMO. You'll be travelling as much as you're there, and that's before you factor in jetlag!
Washington DC is great for a city break, all the Smithsonian museums and even the zoo are free.

I must’ve been lucky when I’ve been in New York then. I mostly found air conditioned places. Been 7 times now in summer.

Are you flying from London?

Just don’t do Boston in June this year! It’s where Scotland are playing their World Cup games so the place will be hoaching with the tartan army and prices have risen accordingly.

New York if you haven’t already been. If you have, then I’d do Boston next, then Chicago. I haven’t done DC yet but that is next on my list so that’s where I’d be going to.

I’d purposely stick towards the east coast as further isn’t worth it for 5 days when you factor in time difference and flight length.

New York, of course!!

You said city break but depending on the time of year I'd also suggest Maine, Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod for coastal charm.

There's also Vermont which is amazing in the Autumn.

Boston