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

Washington DC. Have been to quite a few US cities and it was my favourite by a long shot - the Smithsonian museums are incredible.

DC is fabulous - plenty to do and good public transport

Washington DC is amazing and you can easily fill 5 days and still have more to see. Boston is also a fabulous city. I’d go back to either of those cities in a heartbeat. You don’t need a car for either and if you’re flying from the UK the flights aren’t too long.

I'd do Philly. Art, food, street life, lots of little places to discover, sights to see, sports and night life.

West coast is too far for 5 days I reckon.

I fancy Maine. Have never been but it looks nice.

Sorry, city break… missed that 😬

Las Vegas

I’ve done most of them multiple times and for 5 days I’d say Chicago unless it’s winter.

If you like museums I’d consider Washington DC.

If you like to follow the crowd then NY.

If you want a quieter, more historical city then Boston.

I reckon DC verses New York is a bit horses for courses TBH.

You certainly can't beat DC if you are a history/museum fan, but it maybe doesn't have the buzz or even maybe the variety that you can find in New York.

Cities I have done a short break in and enjoyed - NYC, Boston, Nashville, New Orleans, Washington DC, Atlanta. Washington is I think perfect for 5 days if you want museums and history. If you want music and margaritas then Nashville every time!

Boston or San Diego

Maine is wonderful if you’re willing to drive, but the OP is not…

3 days is my limit for Las Vegas. After that, much as I love it, I’m desperate to leave.

We did 5 days in LA - no regrets and we squeezed lots in! As long as you don’t let the jet lag win on night one (trying to stay awake on the plane is the best way) then it shouldn’t be a big issue, you adjust quicker than you think.

When are you going? It's hot as hell in summer (relatively speaking), I'd stick to the East Coast and avoid world cup hosting cities (unless that is your thing) if you are going this summer. The shoulder season in autumn is probably a nicer time to go.

The only way I'd consider the west coast is if you get direct flights and jet lag isn't an issue for you. I'd also recommend SF or Seattle. So Cal is a bitch without a car especially during tourist season.

I’ve done both NYC and DC, but my most recent trip across the pond was to Montréal and Québec City. We did a 6 day trip (train between the cities) and it was fabulous. Definitely better value than the U.S. and id say about 10-15% cheaper than London.

As an ex California resident I'm going to go against the grain and say that 5 days in SF is fine; if you don't have a car you don't want to be there any longer - public transport in the city is average at best, and further than that abysmal.

But if you want to swerve the more obvious Washington / Boston / NY options I would also consider New Orleans and Chicago.

Loved nyc and Washington DC not so much Boston. You don’t need public transport in any of these.

NYC

Planning something similar, going to fly into Washington stay 2 days and get the train to NY and fly home from there after 3 days.

In case you haven’t used it before, Amtrak who run that line are great, DC station is quite nice and the journey time isn’t that long. I saw deer on that journey once.

My British and American friends lived in Philly and it’s an amazing place with lots to do. I even went to the zoo there! As long as you remember like most American cities they’re on a grid you won’t get lost. Philly cheesesteaks mmmm 😋. The locals were also friendly.

Unless you want to spend most of that time travelling then stick to the east coast, you have New York, Washington, Boston as the big ones.

Boston. Walkable plus good public transport over the river to Cambridge. Loads of interesting museums, shopping, theatre, music to suit all tastes, restaurants, architecture.

I’ve been to many US cities and as with PP would say Nashville is fabulous (I love Santa Fe too but it’s too far for a break really) and whilst I love NYC, personally I prefer Boston. I’d pick Nashville over Memphis. For five nights in Boston you could have a little hop to Nantucket unless it’s high season and then very busy and expensive. I enjoyed Miami and New Orleans well enough - but found New Orleans quite humid in April so wouldn’t go any further in to the summer!