Besides Disney, where are your favourite places in the USA?

We loved our drive from Albuquerque via Santa Fe, Durango (for Mesa Verde), Monument Valley, Page (for canyons), Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks a couple of years ago - stunning scenery. Like several others here we like the natural scenery rather than cities the best and love road trips. I have been researching a Vermont up to Niagara from Boston trip but it has had to be put on hold for a year or two. Santa Fe, San Francisco and New York are are all on my must return to lists. I was less fussed on Seattle but visited a long time ago.
 
I haven't explored a lot of the US, but my favourite cities were probably San Francisco (bonus Disney museum) and New York. Seattle was a very pleasant city, but the tourist "attractions" didn't really compare to the other cities.

Yosemite and the Grand Canyon were amazing and I want to return to spend much more time in both locations at some point in the future.

I didn't like Los Angeles. I didn't mind Washington DC, but I'm in no hurry to return. I think Las Vegas is best for visiting with friends, although it's good to cross off the bucket list and some of the shows are incredible.

If you're also considering Canada, then Banff was breathtakingly beautiful. And Vancouver was an incredibly pleasant city.
 
Oh, there's nothing like the Southwest! :teeth:

I used to live in Arizona and they sure have it all, from the pine wooded highlands in the White Mountains, up to Flagstaff and the rugged high desert over to the Grand Canyon. And down to the south with lush green river canyons like oasis's in the dry climate. And when all the saguaro cacti are in full bloom in the valley of Tucson - Breathtaking indeed! :)

If you're interested in a road trip off the beaten path, take the time to swing by AZ (if in south eastern CL). :car:
 
umm-There is the WHOLE middle of the USA here people LOL! Black Hills/Mount Rushmore. Minnesota lakes, Wisconsin (Door County and Wisconsin Dells), Michigan-Best beaches on Michigan side of lake and drive to Mackinac Island (no cars allowed on the island) and whole Upper Peninsula. Missouri-KC and STL for ball games and BBQ. St Louis zoo just found to be one of best in the world (and free). Lake of the Ozarks - one of the largest man made lakes in country. Arkansas for camping, floating on rivers etc-still easily one of the most beautiful states I've ever seen (fall is spectacular).

Although I love Washington DC too, and Yellowstone National park.
And we are checking out Portland Oregon and Washington state in 2 weeks!
 
We love the road less travelled. My wife and I have 2 kids - almost 6 and almost 3.

We spent 7 days in Minneapolis/St Paul.

About a 3.5/4 hour flight from LA.

We stayed downtown and went to the baseball, enjoyed the lakes, play areas, museums, heaps of cool stuff. Would be happy to send you our itinerary if you're keen - shoot me a PM.
 
Alaska! It's one of my favourite places in the world. Though it's difficult to just tack onto a USA trip, you have to make a special effort to get up there. We did the Canadian rockies and an Alaskan cruise for our honeymoon in 2007, and planning to go back next year for our 10th anniversary.

In 2012 we did a roadtrip in the southwest, and loved it. Zion NP and Bryce Canyon in southern Utah, Antelope Canyon near Page (undoubtedly the highlight of our trip), Monument Valley, Sedona.
 
Obviously Texas! My fave part of home is San Anyonio/New Braunfels/San Marcos/Austin

Las Vegas
Biloxi beach, ms
Santa Fe, nm
Ruidoso, nm
The Route 66 drive from Oklahoma to needles, ca
 
Boston, Cape Cod, Salem MA

NYC

Lake Placid NY & Burlington VT are lovely any time of the year, but are spectacular in the fall..

Portland Main, the ferry to Yarmouth Nova Scotia is always enjoyed.
 
OnceUponATime15 said:
Boston, Cape Cod, Salem MA

NYC

Lake Placid NY & Burlington VT are lovely any time of the year, but are spectacular in the fall..

Portland Main, the ferry to Yarmouth Nova Scotia is always enjoyed.
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My family is going to Lake Placid next week.. can you give me any pointers on things that are a must do or must see?
 
six-two-six said:
My family is going to Lake Placid next week.. can you give me any pointers on things that are a must do or must see?
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Lake Placid itself is so quaint. Lots of interesting shops up & down the Main Street. Quite a few restaurants that cover most tastes. We have visited the winter Olympic sites and museum. We've driven up Mt Whiteface to take in the view. We've driven to Burlington VT (it's an easy drive) taking the car ferry across Lake Champlain from Port Kent NY - love the crossing. The trip is about an hour & 40 minutes one way all included. Burlington is awesome! (Ben & Jerrys headquarters/factory is just outside Burlington - it was a blast)
Near Port Kent we've stopped at Ausable Chasm, it was stunning.
We've done a boat ride around Mirror Lake which was relaxing.

I love the Saranac Lake area, lots of crafty, hand made, artist-y spots to take in there.
 
I am another that would have to vote New Orleans, Loved it, the French quarter, bourbon st, Mississippi river, the plantation houses, just loved it. keep trying to go there again, maybe next time.

Also we really loved Niagara falls (but when still partly frozen, it was amazing) the drive from NYC to there and down to Washington DC was so nice, there are side trips to different places. really worth the time.
 
viaggiamo said:
I am researching and planning another trip to the USA and I am trying to narrow down the areas we are interested in visiting this time.

So, in the spirit of research, want to share places you have loved (or not)?

We love the drive between LA and SF. Especially Santa Barbara, Carmel and Cambria.

We also happily enjoyed Palm Springs...the food!!!

NYC, Washington DC were in our top 20, Las Vegas, Chicago and LA (stayed in Santa Monica) are in our "meh" list.

I would also love to hear about your favourite hotels/places to stay please.

Thanks x
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viaggiamo said:
Thank you all for your replies!

We also love getting off the beaten tourist track and exploring...
That said, I have 3 or 4 trips in my mind and options, but I suppose it depends when we will go- which season.
I would love to hear more about these places please if you have been:

Arizona (or anywhere you loved East of Palm Springs)
Atlanta (would love to do a trip here around Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston)
Oregon (We have not been north of SF on this side and a road trip from SF to Seattle sounds like a viable option in the Summer.)
Would the area around NYC, DC, Boston, Vermont, CT and Maine be great in the Summer if we couldn't make it in the Autumn? (DH and I have been to NYC and DC but would love to explore around these areas further)

You are right, there are sooooooo many places to choose from and as awesome as that is, sometimes it makes it difficult to choose...LOL...1st world problems x
Click to expand...
Thoughts....
  • the season would make a difference I where I want to go. Don't like snow and don't like heat. Alaska for the summer, Southern cities in the winter. NE in the spring/fall.
  • have you considered the Disney Wonder that cruises the Pacific in your journey?
  • bus tours are a great way to explore an area. For the price of one night in Manhatten, I can be on a week long tour that includes Boston, Niagara and Washington
  • Bolt bus makes it very convenient & affordable to explore California cities and Vegas.
  • Got any plans for August 21, 2017? This can make the trip real special. Expect hotels and roads to be congested for this nation wide event.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_August_21,_2017
 
My favorite places other than DL and WDW,
Key West, it's very quaint.
Savannah, lovely
Boston, wonderful city, full of history
Washington, amazing
New Orleans, the French Quarter reminds me of Venice
Grand Canyon, beautiful beyond words
Sedona, very pretty
Bryce Canyon, striking
Las Vegas, shopping paradise
San Francisco, full of character
Places we have enjoyed but probably don't need to return to
Miami, Tampa, New York, Niagra Falls, Phoenix, Lake Tahoe, Yoemite NP, Yellowstone NP.
 
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