if i come to the US whats the list of things i need to see....not like a tourist

Icey101 · #1 10-18-2011, 05:07 AM

well i might be planned a trip with the misses and kids, if i was going to the States, what are the things i should see?...

i would rather see Disney World then Disney Land, i dont want to stare into the Grand Canyon or line up with any other tourists to see the usual stuff

Whats something unusual that would be a must see?

bmc · #2 10-18-2011, 05:33 AM

The US is pretty big. To list the possibilities for all 50 states could be lengthy.

My favorite cities in the states include San Francisco (and surrounding places), New York (city of cities), Chicago (awesome town). Hawaii has its own charm. Anchorage is a gas. Seattle is wet. LA is just plain too big, although there are all kinds of things to do there. If you own a lot of polyester, Las Vegas might be your destination.

If it's family, and minimizing the flying time, I'd suggest California. It's a beautiful state with lots of beautiful geography. With kids, you should do some of the touristy things.

i_got_a_mohawk · #3 10-18-2011, 05:38 AM

What part of the US are you hitting up?

They have some awesome beaches and surf, but that may not interest an Aussie as much as it did me

If you lay down some plans of where you want to see, there will no doubt be a bunch of guys from that area, here on TB, who could help you out (I certainly got a boat load of advice on places to visit when I visited San Diego).

Linas · #4 10-18-2011, 08:02 AM

In my opinion, disney world is going to be a million times more touristy than the grand canyon, and 1/10000000000000000 times as breathtaking. As others have said, if you narrow it down a bit, we can give you some pretty good recommendations, but asking what to do in the entire US is vague. There are A LOT of great national parks including Grand Canyon.

electracoyote · #5 10-18-2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icey101

well i might be planned a trip with the misses and kids, if i was going to the States, what are the things i should see?...

i would rather see Disney World then Disney Land, i dont want to stare into the Grand Canyon or line up with any other tourists to see the usual stuff

Whats something unusual that would be a must see?

52 years in the USA, and I still love all the typical sights and landmarks that make this country great.

If you think the Grand Canyon is boring, that's because you've only seen it in pictures.

A lot of the things that people line up for are some of the most amazing things about this country. And, truth be known, most of them you don't really need to line up for.

Enjoy your trip!

Jim Nazium · #6 10-18-2011, 08:32 AM

Off the top of my head, I recommend:
Yosemite National Park
Mount Shasta
Garden of The Gods park (Colorado Springs)
San Diego Zoo
Getty Center (Art Museum in Los Angeles, sounds dull but it really is not)
National Air & Space Museum, Washington DC (including the Udvar-Hazy annex)
New Orleans French Quarter
Boston Harbor boat tour

... and to really experience American culture, you need to go to a NASCAR race and / or a monster truck competition. Wear a foam cap, drink some of our finest beer-flavored water, and yell "Wooooo!"

MJ5150 · #7 10-18-2011, 08:43 AM

Go to a state or county fair, those are normally held between July and September in the USA. Take a tour of a bass shop like Sadowsky, Lakland, or Roscoe.

People watching in Times Square in NYC is great, and it's great in the Los Angeles area as well.

While the Pike Place Market in Seattle is a tourist stop, it is also a real market where many Seattle-ites do their daily/weekly shopping. It is also home to some unusual things like the guys who throw fish, pig statues, and a few other oddities.

-Mike

jmorbita · #8 10-18-2011, 09:02 AM

I've been to Disney World when I was 11, I loved it. I'd like to go again sometime...
There's also so many places I'd like to see in the USA... many of the touristic spots, and others inspired by movies or songs...
how about a ride on route 66?
I'd also like to check out Wimberley, Texas, where Birdsong guitars are based.
Sufjan Steven's Illinoise and Michigan albums for example have made me feel curious about some spots in those states in particular.

MakiSupaStar · #9 10-18-2011, 09:19 AM

Can you be more specific?

**Thor** · #10 10-18-2011, 09:22 AM

Disney, I don't find that impressive.

Grand Canyon. Big +1. Now THAT is impressive. You have no concept of the enormous beauty of this planet till you have stood near the rim and looked out over the landscape. Truly awesome.

macaroni tony · #11 10-18-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Can you be more specific?

Yes, please do.

And Jmortiba, sadly Route 66 has become all but worthless now. Have you ever seen the movie Cars? You know how the street they all live on has become a ghost town because of people taking the freeways now? That's pretty much what has become of Route 66.

Phalex · #12 10-18-2011, 09:30 AM

How are you getting around? The Orlando FL area has plenty of theme parks. I'd hit them all. I'm not sure if Gatorland is still open or not, but being an Aussie you're probably bored with carnivorous aquatic reptilians anyway.

New Orleans is worth a stop IMO.

The high mountain lakes like Crater Lake in Oregon or Lake Tahoe in Nevada are spectacular to see. (Tons of local brewery's in Oregon!)

Yosemite, or Yellowstone are pretty cool if you dig hiking/camping/nature. I think the grizzly bears are kinda pissed off these days, so bear that in mind.

State fairs are a great idea!

I've heard driving the original Route 66 isn't all that exciting, but a lot of people seem to do it.

I haven't been everywhere by any means, but the Pacific Northwest is my favorite area of the country. Head up to Oregon/Washington and have local beers, drive around and find stuff to do, go see Tbird1958's band.........

jmorbita · #13 10-18-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

How are you getting around? The Orlando FL area has plenty of theme parks. I'd hit them all. I'm not sure if Gatorland is still open or not, but being an Aussie you're probably bored with carnivorous aquatic reptilians anyway.

New Orleans is worth a stop IMO.

The high mountain lakes like Crater Lake in Oregon or Lake Tahoe in Nevada are spectacular to see. (Tons of local brewery's in Oregon!)

Yosemite, or Yellowstone are pretty cool if you dig hiking/camping/nature. I think the grizzly bears are kinda pissed off these days, so bear that in mind.

State fairs are a great idea!

I've heard driving the original Route 66 isn't all that exciting, but a lot of people seem to do it.

I haven't been everywhere by any means, but the Pacific Northwest is my favorite area of the country. Head up to Oregon/Washington and have local beers, drive around and find stuff to do, go see Tbird1958's band.........

that is seriously one of my dreams, ride around meeting tbers (and trying out their gear!)

guitar ed · #14 10-18-2011, 09:57 AM

Hey Phalex: Lake Tahoe is in California AND Nevada. But it is worth seeing.

Out of the way places to go? Mt Shasta and Mt. Lassen, not Yosemite, are places I would go.

Aside from where are you going, when are you going? Mt. Shasta in February is mighty cold and the weather can be downright unpleasant.

Other places to go: Bryce Canyon, Arches National Monument, a million others. This place is too big to name just one or two.

edg

fhm555 · #15 10-18-2011, 10:02 AM

Before you write the grand canyon off...

Grand Canyon observation deck reaches dizzying heights | Mail Online

It is impossible to comprehend the scale of the thing from any picture.

The only way you cannot be moved stepping to the edge is to be dead.

Jared Lash · #16 10-18-2011, 10:15 AM

I'd also take the Grand Canyon over Disneyland/Disneyworld any day. To me, natural beauty and history (granted the U.S. has but a fraction of what most other parts of the world offer in that regard) will always trumph commercialism.

Something else to keep in mind. When I spent a summer in Europe (four weeks in Italy, a week in France, a week in England, two weeks in Switzerland etc) I remember thinking how little I'd actually had a chance to see. And when you realize that Italy is the size of Arizona and all of the United Kingdom would fit in Oregon you start to realize how big the U.S. is.

Your best bet is to give some specifics of the kinds of things you'd want to see, what your interests are, what your timeline is like and how much traveling withing the U.S. you're prepared to do you'll get much more helpful answers.

BassChuck · #17 10-18-2011, 10:27 AM

What US places get the most coverage on Aussie TV (either on shows or news)? Whatever they are, go see them. Also check for anything in the US that has a direct connection with Australian life and history. This way, your trip to the US will be more impactful on your kids.

MakiSupaStar · #18 10-18-2011, 10:45 AM

Unless the OP comes back, this thread is just going to be a ridiculously unfocused thread about all the cool places all over the country that no one could possibly visit in their lifetime.

MJ5150 · #19 10-18-2011, 10:47 AM

Maybe I'll start a thread and ask what I should check out in Asia. Ya know, what are some cool places?

-Mike

jmorbita · #20 10-18-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Unless the OP comes back, this thread is just going to be a ridiculously unfocused thread about all the cool places all over the country that no one could possibly visit in their lifetime.

well, I've already subscribe to this thread, so you might as well post those cool places, and me, at least I'll try google them!

(or you can all add a picture to your post and save me some time!

)

OP is in Australia BTW, i think there's a bit of a time difference.. he might be sleeping now...