Where to go in the USA?

[Jimster]

As I was planning my next trip abroad last night and looking at the top sights to see at my destination, I reflected on how often I had done that for my prior trips. I became curious, however, about what sites people from abroad most wanted to see in the USA. Hence my question: What sites do people traveling to the USA want to see most? I suspect I know the answers for some people but I suspect there may also be some surprises. I would appreciate input from those who want to travel to the USA or who have traveled to the USA.

[Rose Pink]

I've met Germans in Moab, French at Bryce Canyon. Japanese everywhere.

[Luanne]

Las Vegas
Washington, D.C.

[aktravler]

Germans love Alaska I work in the tourism industry in Alaska and we market a lot to Germany, there are even seasonal direct flights to Ak from Germany.

[mshatty]

When we were in Sedona, Flagstaff and Grand Canyon this past Christmas, there were tons of Asian visitors.

[rklein001]

By the numbers I'm sure it's Manhattan.

But if you go hiking in any of our great national parks it seems Europeans and Japanese outnumber Americans.

Unfortunately, Americans (1) get one-fourth to one-half the vacation time the others get and (2) when we do have some time off, most of us want to sit back and be entertained.

[Timeshare Von]

Originally Posted by aktravler

Germans love Alaska I work in the tourism industry in Alaska and we market a lot to Germany, there are even seasonal direct flights to Ak from Germany.

So do the Japanese. They travel there for the northern lights, during the winter. There are direct flights into Fairbanks on JAL and hotels that cater to the aurora seekers.

[Timeshare Von]

Nobody has mentioned Orlando and the Land of Mickey Mouse. From all that you read and are "sold" about timeshare ownership there, I would have to guess it is probably the number one international destination in the USA.

I also believe that Williamsburg is an international destination, but nowhere near the drawing power of say the Grand Canyon, NYC or Washington, DC. I also agree that Nevada is a large Asian destination. I have seen whole casino/hotels taken over by large groups from Taiwan and Japan in Reno, so it's not just Vegas.

Yvonne

[sage]

Jimster,
We've travelled to the USA many times. Most Aussies want to see Disneyland, San Diego, Grand Canyon, Vegas, San Francisco & Hawaii. If they can afford it they also go to New York & Orlando. Some of the ski resorts too.The cost of airfares is what kills us going to the east coast. Most Aussies will not drive on the wrong sie of the road overseas - too frightening with your 8 lane highways!
Most of us have never heard of Williamsburg, Branson or Sedona!
We (my hubby & kids) have been lucky enough to see most of the eastern states from Canada down to Washington, DC; CA, NV, Utah, & Arizona - all by driving around. And we still haven't seen very much!!

[Keitht]

From the UK we've been to Florida (Orlando, St. Pete's, Clearwater), San Francisco, Las Vegas, Hawaii (Big Island, Oahu, Kauai). My wife would love to visit New York although that doesn't really appeal to me.
I'd love to visit the more rural areas of the US. We've also been to the Canadian Rockies twice (Yes, I do know that's not the US. It's easy to tell because they spell things correctly up there )

[labguides]

Our German friends enjoy Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce National Parks. They like those national parks better than San Diego and San Francisco.

[w879jr1]

My wife and I have just returned from a trip to Florida. It was our first time back there since we took our daughter to the theme parks several times between 1988 and 1991. Like us then, many UK families first experience the USA in Florida and choose to return there regularly for the sunshine and entertainment.

This time we returned to the UK via New York for an evening at the Met opera. I always like to stopover for a day or two when flying to or from the USA to experience the life of our chosen ‘gateway’ city. This way we have seen the sights in Boston, New York, Chicago and Atlanta. My aim is to add Washington DC and Philadelphia to to this list.

To see the sights of the USA, we have made several ‘road trips’ in rental vehicles picked up from cities such as Raleigh, Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, San Diego and San Francisco. As inhabitants of a small, crowded country we particularly like the uncrowded space and panoramic vistas to be experienced in the western states. We have been welcomed wherever we have been and we have amazing memories of many places, including the Outer Banks, and National Parks including Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone. Two valleys of great contrast in California where we have enjoyed our stays equally are Death Valley and the Napa Valley.

Europeans are lucky to have the generous holidays which allow us visit foreign countries for extended periods. As I am now retired, and my wife will also be retiring soon, the time available to us will increase. We hope that our finances and our health will be able to match our desire to make further trips. Next time I think it will be to the NPs of Southern Utah and North Rim of Grand Canyon, or the north western states of Washington and Oregon.

[Neesie]

We're always told (locally) that it is the Mall of America, drawing more international tourists than any other U.S. destination.

How sad to think that would be a foreigners impression of my home state.

[AngeG]

Our first visit to the US - like most Brits- was Orlando in 1989, we even bought a house there. During this time we realised there was a lot more on offer than Theme Parks so we toured quite a lot of Florida.
Our next venture - via timeshare and touring - was Cape Cod and since then we have visited Memphis, Nashville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Portland (Or) and the Pacific North West Coast including Crater Lake, The Redwoods, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone the list goes on...

We would love to visit New York, Glacier NP, Alaska - well everywhere really, but time will run out on us. We love wherever we go and although we have preferences we are willing to try anywhere we have not already visited.

[bestbuyer]

Not to be forgotten is Boston and New England itself. All four seasons is special!

[hibbeln]

In South Dakota (Badlands, Custer State Park, etc) we ran into TONS of people (all different groups) from the more Northern part of Europe. Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway....... I thought that was so strange that these folks had travelled all the way there. i was surprised they had even heard of it. Most were continuing on (like we were) to the pioneer/Oregon trail sites, cowboy and Indian museums in Cody Wyoming, and on to the big national parks (Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier...) [/i] Of course, if you really want to see the real USA, there's no better place than South Dakota!

[Rose Pink]

I've been told the French have an interest in the American Indians. Maybe other Europeans do as well.

[stevedmatt]

I would think:

NYC
Hollywood
Grand Canyon
Las Vegas
Orlando

For US History:

Boston
Wash DC
Philadelphia