Where to go on holiday in the US?

[ninja_butler]

I want to go some place that is really American, but maybe not Las Vegas; I know people say it's got something for everyone, but there are as many tourists there as residents.

I like the idea of Southern States like Louisiana and Mississippi; I like the idea of white picket fences and eccentric Bible-thumpers on every street corner, but from what I've read, the further into the South you get, the shxttier the people get and the more the police hate foreign tourists. At the other end of the Country is Portland, which might be interesting; legal weed, strip club capital of the United States, and lots of leftwing loonies and feminazis to argue with, but the climate is much like the UK and I don't really want to spend my whole holiday in a City.

I'm not keen to try driving in the USA because I've never driven outside of the UK before, so my options are a bit limited by that; I'll need transport. Any suggestions?

[Robbeh]

I would personally go key west Florida. Or Washington the state.

[herulach]

Boston is nice, and walk roundable, but not really enough on its own to justify the trip (think going to london for a week). Anywhere in the states you're going to need to drive unless you do manhattan or maybe disney world.
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[Poseidon]

I've heard good things about Kentucky. Loads of natural history stuff, caverns, parks, forests etc. Lots of interesting towns and cities with historic significance, such as parts of the underground railroad, Al Capone safe houses etc. There's some museums that look like a laugh too, like the Corvette museum, Quilt museum and my personal fave, the Creation museum (like, genesis, bible and why there are dinosaur fossils museum). There's the Churchill Downs for horse racing too.

Whilst I've never been, I did spend sometime working alongside some Kentuckians. They were a lovely bunch. A bit churchy, but very kind and welcoming. It's on my to do list once I have enough cash to get over there.
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[Pjay]

I'd really love to go to New Orleans.
I have been to Florida, but that's don't count, it was with the kids to disney/universal.

The culture in New Orleans is captivating, just watching Treme makes me want to live there full time.

[ninja_butler]

[Alpineandy]

[Ariel Badger]

Wendover Utah in August.
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[Duffman]

I would second the vote for Boston, had a great time there a few years ago. Loved the food and just walking about chilling.

I quite liked St Louis as well, i thought it was very middle America and sounds like your description.

Ive also done Florida and didn't particularly like the place, though we were doing the Disney thing so i knew it was going to be like that.

HATED Times Square!!
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[grr666]

Hire car follow nose book up as you go. If you're gonna splash the cash then live a little and have an adventure.
Americas massive, mostly friendly and a doddle to drive in, plenty places to eat, sleep and visit. Do it!
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[Robby]

Get a hire car, don't be a pussy.

I enjoyed Louisiana, many friendly people. Didn't have to stay in a hotel while I was down there. Had to be careful not to give them my real name, because babies.

New Orleans was a bit shit, like most "major" US cities.

[dabigginger]

As mentioned already, driving there is fine. The freeways in the cities are crazy, but once you're out of there, you will be fine. I've been to a lot of the South West and would recommend the following (especially driving):

-Grand Canyon
-Bruce Canyon
-Zion
-Yosemite
-Pacific Coast highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles

My wife and I got married in Kauai, one of the Hawaiian islands. It's definitely not got an American feel, but well worth checking out and truly beautiful.

There's plenty of info on each place if you Google them, but they are all amazing.

[dodsi]

Las Vegas is amazing and about as American as you get.

Yeehaa

[grr666]

I spent 4 days there, had a suite in the Hard Rock hotel
Certainly is a non stop kinda place. Excess everything!! Skys the limit.
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[Diggs]

Did the east-west coast by Greyhound many years ago. The two places that stood out to me to visit again were Baton Rouge (proper gulf-coast backward town with houses on sticks, dirt roads, limping hound-dogs and a smell of the blues), and San Diego (a rose between the thorns of L.A. and Tijuana.

If I went back, I'd seriously consider a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway from Canada to Mexico....
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[fatjames]

If you want to chill and spend a lot of money you could spend a week in South Beach, Miami.

If you want to be busy and see some sights you could do Manhattan.

I went to America last year and did both, starting in New York then flying down to Miami.

It was nice to see some sights, eat some really nice meals and get some clothes shopping in the city but I much preferred chilling on the beach. South Beach has lots of nice art deco buildings and posh hotels and there are also lots of pretty people to look at. Sun glasses are a must

There were some proper tourists who drove around and around and around in hired muscle cars. Although I thought this was sad, if I'd had my licence, I so would done this for a few hours. Just for fun.

I'd also like to go San Francisco one day. But going last year ended up costing quite a bit. I might have to save up or be crashed into and compo'd right up again to go back.

[dodsi]

[J4mes]

Always fancied the north east - Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire. A hunting and fishing trip and a bit of exploring

[BTTD]

I actually found driving in the US more confusing than driving in Europe, but even so I managed a 3 hour drive immediately after a 14 hour flight.

Note to OP, probably not a good idea to do that, however hiring a car to explore definitely is.

I have no significant advice on places to visit, other than to not bother with Sacramento. I was working out there and asked what there was to do at the weekend, answer: Lake Tahoe is is an hour and half that way, San Francisco is two hours that way.
Okay then, not much to do here (and they weren't wrong).

[P.addy]

Just got back from 11 days in Florida and hired a Camaro.

Would not worry about driving, its really really easy. I'm useless and drive there fine.

[doggone]

This is the only thing they have different when driving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOQ9FVYf2-8
Because roundabouts are too confusing ...

[grr666]

I think you'll find over there they are called 'Traffic Circles'.
I also found the one near to Grand Canyon . We had a night in the national park. Wasn't sure what the sat nav
was on about calling a roundabout a traffic circle though
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[doggone]

The 4 way stop thing must go to hell as soon as there's queues of cars rather than one every 5 minutes like in the example..
Also a fantastic way of forcing stop-start for no reason, increasing fuel use.

[MCN]

Fucking New York, New York.

Or Jello Stone.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[ZX-7R]